Kerala Tops in Child Survival: Lowest Mortality Rate in India, Says Union Minister Savitri Thakur

New Delhi: Kerala has reaffirmed its position as a leader in public healthcare by recording the lowest child mortality rate in the country. Union Minister Savitri Thakur, responding to a question raised by A. A. Rahim (CPI M) in the Rajya Sabha, highlighted that Kerala’s Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) stands at just 8 deaths per 1,000 live births, significantly lower than the national average of 32. This achievement reflects the state’s commitment to accessible healthcare, effective public health policies, and strong community involvement, setting an example for the rest of the country. Madhya Pradesh remains the most affected, with a U5MR of 51, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 43. These figures highlight the urgent need for healthcare reforms in these regions, where inadequate facilities, malnutrition, and lack of maternal care contribute to high child mortality rates.
Kerala’s remarkable achievement in reducing child mortality is not an overnight success but the result of decades of focused policies and investments in healthcare. The state’s health system, which prioritizes women and children as a special category, has been hailed as a model for the world. State’s extensive network of primary health centers and hospitals ensures that even the most remote areas have access to quality healthcare. The state has consistently invested in healthcare facilities, including neonatal care units and nutrition rehabilitation centers, which play a crucial role in reducing child mortality.
Malnutrition, a key contributor to child mortality in India, has been effectively addressed in Kerala through comprehensive nutrition programs. The state has implemented initiatives that provide fortified food and essential nutrients to pregnant women, lactating mothers, and young children. Additionally, neonatal and infant feeding programs emphasize exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, reducing the risks associated with malnutrition and boosting infant immunity. These efforts have kept malnutrition-related child deaths in Kerala at minimal levels, unlike in other states where malnutrition continues to pose a significant challenge.
Community participation has been another crucial factor in Kerala’s healthcare success. Local self-government bodies, women’s groups, and organizations like the Kudumbashree Mission have played an active role in public health initiatives, sanitation drives, and nutrition awareness campaigns. This collaborative approach between the government and the community has ensured that healthcare programs are effectively implemented at the grassroots level, leading to tangible improvements in child health outcomes.
While Kerala leads the way, the central government has also undertaken significant efforts to reduce child mortality nationwide through various initiatives. Programs such as the National Health Mission, Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, and Janani Suraksha Yojana aim to improve maternal and child healthcare. Additionally, the Anemia Mukt Bharat initiative focuses on combating anemia among pregnant women and children, alongside awareness campaigns addressing preventable diseases like pneumonia and diarrhea. However, the effectiveness of these programs varies across states due to differences in governance, healthcare infrastructure, and community participation, highlighting the need for region-specific strategies to improve child health outcomes.
For instance, Madhya Pradesh, with a U5MR of 51, faces challenges such as high rates of malnutrition and limited access to healthcare in rural areas. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh, despite showing some improvement (from 47 in 2016 to 43 in 2020), still has a long way to go in addressing the root causes of child mortality. Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha continue to struggle with rural poverty, poor sanitation, and lack of clean drinking water, further increasing child mortality risks.
Key Statistics: Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) per 1,000 Live Births (2020)

Kerala: 8

Tamil Nadu: 13

Andhra Pradesh: 27

Gujarat: 24

Uttar Pradesh: 43

Madhya Pradesh: 51

Rajasthan: 40

Chhattisgarh: 41

Odisha: 39

Assam: 40