Punjab achieves Sustainable Development Goals-2030 target for Neonatal Mortality Rate years ahead of deadline: Dr Balbir Singh
Improved healthcare performance likely to bring ₹400 crore incentive for Punjab under Centre’s performance-linked health scheme: Dr Balbir Singh
CHANDIGARH, May 21:
Punjab has emerged as a frontrunner in the country’s healthcare delivery system by decisively outperforming national benchmarks across all major maternal and child health indicators, according to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) data released by the Office of the Registrar General of India.
Highlighting Punjab’s achievement, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said Punjab has registered significant improvements in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) and Under-5 Mortality Rate, reflecting the Punjab Government’s sustained focus on strengthening public healthcare infrastructure and ensuring quality maternal and child care services across the state.
Sharing the details, Dr Balbir Singh said Punjab’s Maternal Mortality Ratio has dropped to 77 per lakh live births, significantly better than the national average of 87. He stated that Punjab has also recorded an Infant Mortality Rate of 16 against the national average of 24, a Neonatal Mortality Rate of 11 compared to the country’s average of 18, and an Under-5 Mortality Rate of 19 against India’s average of 28.
Dr Balbir Singh said, “Punjab has made remarkable progress in maternal and child healthcare, and these achievements reflect the unwavering dedication of our healthcare workforce and the Punjab Government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services to every citizen.”
He stated, “Punjab has already achieved the SDG-2030 target for Neonatal Mortality Rate by bringing it below 12, which is a significant milestone achieved well ahead of the deadline.”
The Health Minister said the state’s outstanding performance is expected to bring a financial incentive of nearly ₹400 crore for Punjab under the latest performance-linked health sector scheme of the Central Government.
Dr Balbir Singh stated, “The Bhagwant Mann Government has adopted a comprehensive approach to reproductive and child healthcare by strengthening institutional healthcare delivery systems and ensuring quality maternal and neonatal care facilities across the state. This has directly contributed to lowering maternal and child mortality indicators.”
Expressing gratitude to frontline healthcare workers, Dr Balbir Singh said their relentless efforts at the grassroots level have played a crucial role in ensuring safer pregnancies and improved healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns across Punjab.
Highlighting the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, Dr Balbir Singh said the Bhagwant Mann Government has operationalised 39 dedicated Maternal and Child Health (MCH) wings across the state to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care under one roof.
Dr Balbir Singh said, “These specialised facilities are acting as critical lifelines for mothers and newborns by ensuring round-the-clock emergency healthcare services.”
The Health Minister further stated that Punjab has also initiated major reforms to promote natural childbirth and reduce unnecessary caesarean sections by creating a specialised healthcare cadre. He informed that the state has successfully graduated three batches of Nurse Practitioners in Midwifery (NPM) from the National Midwifery Training Institute (NMTI) in Patiala.
Dr Balbir Singh stated, “The Bhagwant Mann Government is continuously working to reduce avoidable caesarean procedures and strengthen safe childbirth practices through trained midwifery professionals.”
He further said that Aam Aadmi Clinics have significantly strengthened the state’s primary healthcare network by providing localized Antenatal Care (ANC) services to expectant mothers. He added that all essential diagnostic tests, including ultrasound scans, along with medicines, are being provided completely free of cost to eliminate financial barriers in maternal healthcare.
Dr Balbir Singh stated that Punjab’s historic achievement has been made possible due to the state recording an exceptional 99.86% institutional delivery rate along with the aggressive implementation of key healthcare initiatives including Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB), Surakshit Matritva Ashwasan (SUMAN), Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karaykram (JSSK), Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).
The Health Minister further said that all high-risk pregnant women in Punjab are being continuously monitored through the state’s medical helpline 104. He stated that healthcare teams regularly contact high-risk pregnant women to assess their well-being and monitor critical health indicators to ensure timely medical intervention.
