Over 1.13 lakh infant deaths in Gujarat in six years, malnutrition remains challenge

Despite significant public expenditure aimed at tackling malnutrition, Gujarat continues to report high infant mortality, with more than 1.13 lakh children dying over the past six years, according to official data.

The figures indicate that malnutrition remains a persistent challenge in the state, even as successive governments have promoted initiatives to achieve a ‘malnutrition-free Gujarat’. Notably, the number of infant deaths within the first year of birth has been increasing.

Data shows that between 2017 and 2022, a total of 69.03 lakh children were born in the state, of which 8,12,896 newborns had a birth weight below 2.5 kg (a key indicator of malnutrition). The proportion of underweight infants has not seen a significant decline during this period.

As per guidelines under the National Nutrition Mission (2017), the state was expected to reduce the number of underweight infants by 2% annually. However, the target has not yet been achieved.

The data further reveals that 18,231 newborns died within 24 hours of birth during the six-year period, many of them in hospitals. In addition, 83,538 infants died before completing one year. Overall, 1,13,650 children aged up to five years lost their lives during this period.

On average, around 15,000 infants die within 24 hours of birth each year in Gujarat, underlining the severity of the issue.

Officials said several schemes are being implemented to provide nutritional support to pregnant women and children. However, experts point out that while food distribution programmes have expanded, improvements in maternal health and child nutrition outcomes remain limited.