India has taken rapid strides in reducing child mortality

OV Digital Desk
4 Min Read
PAALAN 1000

Image Courtesy: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Since 2014, India has made rapid progress in reducing child mortality from 45 per 1000 live births to 35 per 1000 live births in 2019. During today’s virtual launch of the Early Childhood Development Conclave, Paalan 1000 National Campaign, and Parenting App in Mumbai, Union Minister of State Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this.

In emphasising the importance of the early stages of a child’s life since they can have a lifelong impact, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated, “A baby’s brain develops during pregnancy and is affected by a pregnant woman’s health, nutrition, and environment.”. A human baby’s brain development is crucial to its future intelligence and quality of life as well as its physical growth after birth. Every day of this journey is important and influences how a baby develops, grows, and learns – not only now, but throughout her life. Children’s survival cannot be addressed in isolation, as it is intricately related to the mother’s health. Under the national program, the concept of ‘Continuum of Care’ is being implemented that emphasizes care during critical life stages in order to improve child survival.”

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During the first thousand days of a child’s life, the growing child needs good nutrition, stimulation, love, and support. “The first 1000 days establish a solid foundation for a child’s physical, mental, emotional, cognitive and social development”, she said.

In accordance with the National Health Mission (NHM), the child health programme integrated interventions that improved child survival as well as factors that contributed to infant and under-five mortality. As a result, the National Health Mission ensures that key health services are available at home, through community outreach, and at health facilities at various levels, such as primary, first referral units, and tertiary hospitals.

About Paalan 1000 National Campaign and Parenting App

In ‘Paalan 1000 – Journey of the First 1000 Days’, the focus is on the cognitive development of children in their first 2 years. The Paalan 1000 program combines early childhood coaching for parents, families, and other caregivers with services designed to meet families’ basic needs. During their early years, infants and toddlers are shaped by their experiences – and those experiences are shaped by their caregivers. During the first few years of a child’s life, caregivers play a crucial role. According to the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), the program emphasizes responsive care and focuses interventions on the first 1000 days of life.

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The PAALAN 1000 parenting app will provide caregivers with practical advice on what they can do in their everyday routines. In this way, various doubts of parents will be resolved, and our efforts will be geared towards the development of the child. Cognitive development of children under 2 years is a major focus area of this PAALAN 1000 and has focused on the 6 principles of Maximize Love, Talk & Engage, explore through Movement and Play, Read and Discuss Stories, Mother’s Engagement with the Child while Breastfeeding and Managing Stress and Staying Calm.

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