Centre Announces ICMR's Focus on Reducing Neonatal Mortality and Preventing Stillbirths
New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has undertaken several projects aimed at reducing neonatal mortality and preventing stillbirths in India, the Centre announced on Tuesday.
In a written response in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, highlighted that ICMR has identified neonatal mortality as a national health research priority. The organization has launched several key research projects to improve the health of newborns and children.
ICMR’s flagship initiative, the “Sankalp” Program, is designed to strengthen the efforts toward achieving a single-digit neonatal mortality rate. As part of this initiative, ICMR is undertaking comprehensive research on optimized intervention packages and delivery strategies to reduce stillbirths and prevent neonatal deaths across the country.
Speaking on the importance of these initiatives, Dr Balram Bhargava, Director-General of ICMR, stated, “Our research efforts are focused on improving the health outcomes for newborns and children in India. Through the Sankalp program and various collaborative studies, we are working towards achieving the national goal of single-digit neonatal mortality.”
In addition to the Sankalp Program, ICMR has been actively involved in studies to develop a deeper understanding of childhood diseases in the Indian context. A recent study completed in August 2024 highlighted that the mutation profiles of respiratory diseases in children are distinct from those seen in Western populations. ICMR has also conducted significant research on pediatric kidney diseases and the use of intravenous antibiotics in the treatment of neonatal bacterial sepsis.
Dr Vikram Patel, an expert in pediatric health at ICMR, commented, “Our findings have revealed that the mutation profiles of respiratory diseases in Indian children are different from the West, emphasizing the need for context-specific healthcare solutions. This is just one of many studies that will help us refine treatment protocols for better outcomes.”
ICMR’s Centers for Advanced Research are also focusing on crucial areas such as the First Thousand Days of life, a project aimed at optimizing care during this critical period to ensure long-term health benefits.
Dr Shalini Gupta, Head of Pediatric Research at ICMR, elaborated, “The First Thousand Days project is pivotal in shaping the future health of children. Our research will lay the foundation for creating effective, sustainable models of care for newborns and young children across the country.”
Moreover, the National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH), a part of ICMR, has been running a multicentric study on newborn sickle cell screening across seven sites in six states—Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. This study, which has been ongoing since 2019, aims to improve early detection and care for children born with sickle cell disease.
Dr Rajiv Kumar, Director of NIRRCH, shared, “The sickle cell screening program is crucial for early intervention in areas with high prevalence rates. Early diagnosis can make a significant difference in the quality of life for these children.”
The ICMR’s support for the health of newborns and children is bolstered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which facilitates a range of interventions under the National Health Mission (NHM). These include the establishment of Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) at district hospitals and medical colleges, and Mother-Newborn Care Units (MNCUs), aimed at ensuring zero separation between mothers and their babies, particularly those who are sick or premature.
Dr Vinod K. Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, remarked, “The comprehensive approach to maternal and child health through the NHM is crucial. Our focus on improving healthcare facilities and services at the grassroots level ensures that every newborn receives the care they need.”
Key initiatives such as Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), which encourages skin-to-skin contact for low birth weight and pre-term babies, and the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) that provides free treatment for sick infants, have shown remarkable progress across states. Additionally, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) ensures children are screened for 32 health conditions, aiming to detect and treat diseases early.
ICMR continues to prioritize capacity building by providing regular training for healthcare providers, including updated training packages for integrated management of neonatal and childhood illnesses.
Dr Ravi Shankar, Chief of Medical Education at ICMR, emphasized, “Capacity building is key to ensuring that healthcare providers are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. Our training programs are designed to improve child survival and health outcomes nationwide.”