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Rachel V Thomas

India Makes Significant Progress In Maternal Care, Nutrition And Child Immunization: NFHS-6

India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has released the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), showing major improvements in maternal healthcare, <span>nutrition</span>, immunization, and family planning across the country.

The nationwide survey, which covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts, highlighted stronger healthcare access and improved outcomes for women and children in the country.

The NFHS-6 was conducted during 2023-24 by MoHFW with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai as the nodal agency. 

<h3><span rel="noindex">Maternal Care</span> </h3>

NFHS-6 recorded notable gains in maternal and child healthcare services nationwide. Nearly 96 per cent of pregnant women received antenatal care (ANC), while mothers receiving ANC during the first trimester increased from 70.0 per cent to 76.2 per cent.

The percentage of mothers receiving at least four ANC visits also rose from 58.5 per cent to 65.2 per cent, reflecting improved continuity of maternal healthcare services.

Institutional deliveries increased from 88.6 per cent to 90.6 per cent, bringing India closer to universal institutional delivery coverage.

Maternal nutrition indicators also improved significantly. Women consuming iron folic acid supplements for 100 days or more during pregnancy increased from 44.1 per cent to 54.9 per cent. Those consuming supplements for 180 days or more rose from 26.0 per cent to 37.8 per cent.

India’s Total <span>Fertility Rate</span> (TFR) remained stable at 2.0, while the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) increased from 66.7 per cent to 69.1 per cent.

The findings reflect improved access to family planning services and the continued impact of government programs, including Mission Parivar Vikas.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Child Immunization</span></h2>

India also recorded progress towards universal immunization coverage. Full vaccination coverage among children aged 12-23 months increased from 83.8 per cent to 87.1 per cent based on vaccination cards.

More than 95 per cent of children received vaccinations through public health facilities, highlighting continued trust in the public healthcare system.

Coverage of major vaccines improved significantly. Rotavirus vaccination coverage surged from 36.4 per cent to 85.4 per cent, while coverage of the second dose of measles-containing vaccine increased from 58.6 per cent to 71.8 per cent.

The survey also found improvement in child health indicators. Symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children declined from 2.8 per cent to 1.9 per cent, while severe diarrhea prevalence fell to 0.5 per cent.

The gains were attributed to stronger last-mile healthcare delivery, improved cold chain systems, digital tracking through U-WIN, and active community participation under the Universal Immunization Program.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-inside-indias-rt-pcr-tests-for-the-bundibugyo-strain-explained-article-154411961" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola: Inside India’s RT-PCR Tests For The Bundibugyo Strain| Explained</a>

NFHS-6 also reported encouraging progress in child nutrition indicators. More than 95 per cent of children under six months were breastfed during the survey period. The percentage of children breastfed within one hour of birth increased from 41.8 per cent to 50.1 per cent.

<span>Stunting</span> among children under five years declined sharply from 35.5 per cent to 29.3 per cent, indicating improvement in long-term nutritional outcomes.

Severe wasting declined from 7.7 per cent to 5.2 per cent, while underweight prevalence among children under five registered a marginal decline from 32.1 per cent to 31.8 per cent.

Infant and young child feeding practices also improved. Children aged 6-8 months receiving solid or semi-solid food along with breastmilk increased from 45.9 per cent to 59.5 per cent.

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Maternal Care

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India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has released the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), showing major improvements in maternal healthcare, nutrition, immunization, and family planning across the country.The nationwide survey, which covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts, highlighted stronger healthcare access and improved outcomes for women and children in the country.Key Findings of NFHS-6The NFHS-6 was conducted during 2023-24 by MoHFW with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai as the nodal agency. Maternal Care NFHS-6 recorded notable gains in maternal and child healthcare services nationwide. Nearly 96 per cent of pregnant women received antenatal care (ANC), while mothers receiving ANC during the first trimester increased from 70.0 per cent to 76.2 per cent.The percentage of mothers receiving at least four ANC visits also rose from 58.5 per cent to 65.2 per cent, reflecting improved continuity of maternal healthcare services.Institutional deliveries increased from 88.6 per cent to 90.6 per cent, bringing India closer to universal institutional delivery coverage.Maternal nutrition indicators also improved significantly. Women consuming iron folic acid supplements for 100 days or more during pregnancy increased from 44.1 per cent to 54.9 per cent. Those consuming supplements for 180 days or more rose from 26.0 per cent to 37.8 per cent.Family Planning India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) remained stable at 2.0, while the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) increased from 66.7 per cent to 69.1 per cent.The findings reflect improved access to family planning services and the continued impact of government programs, including Mission Parivar Vikas.Child ImmunizationIndia also recorded progress towards universal immunization coverage. Full vaccination coverage among children aged 12-23 months increased from 83.8 per cent to 87.1 per cent based on vaccination cards.More than 95 per cent of children received vaccinations through public health facilities, highlighting continued trust in the public healthcare system.Coverage of major vaccines improved significantly. Rotavirus vaccination coverage surged from 36.4 per cent to 85.4 per cent, while coverage of the second dose of measles-containing vaccine increased from 58.6 per cent to 71.8 per cent.The survey also found improvement in child health indicators. Symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children declined from 2.8 per cent to 1.9 per cent, while severe diarrhea prevalence fell to 0.5 per cent.The gains were attributed to stronger last-mile healthcare delivery, improved cold chain systems, digital tracking through U-WIN, and active community participation under the Universal Immunization Program.Also read: Ebola: Inside India’s RT-PCR Tests For The Bundibugyo Strain| ExplainedChild Nutrition Outcomes NFHS-6 also reported encouraging progress in child nutrition indicators. More than 95 per cent of children under six months were breastfed during the survey period. The percentage of children breastfed within one hour of birth increased from 41.8 per cent to 50.1 per cent.Stunting among children under five years declined sharply from 35.5 per cent to 29.3 per cent, indicating improvement in long-term nutritional outcomes.Severe wasting declined from 7.7 per cent to 5.2 per cent, while underweight prevalence among children under five registered a marginal decline from 32.1 per cent to 31.8 per cent.Infant and young child feeding practices also improved. Children aged 6-8 months receiving solid or semi-solid food along with breastmilk increased from 45.9 per cent to 59.5 per cent.

india makes significant progress in maternal care, nutrition and child immunization: nfhs-6

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