Uttar Pradesh Newborn Deaths Persist Despite Expanded NICUs And SNCUs; Breastfeeding And Care Gaps Raise Concern

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s healthcare system continues to grapple with preventable newborn deaths despite establishing 13 NICUs, 119 SNCUs, and 410 NBSUs. Data reveals systemic gaps: merely 24.5% of infants receive breastfeeding within the critical first hour (NFHS-5), while 53% of low-birth-weight babies are discharged prematurely without adequate care, as per UNICEF.

Dr. Shalini Tripathi, KGMU Pediatrics Professor, noted that 10% of newborns require immediate resuscitation, yet inter-departmental coordination between gynecology and pediatrics remains weak. The state’s newborn mortality rate still trails the SDG-2030 target of <12 deaths per 1,000 births.

While NHM claims infrastructure expansion—including newborn care corners in district hospitals—ground reports indicate inconsistent implementation. The Lancet (2019) attributes 44.9% of infant deaths to preterm complications, exacerbated by delayed breastfeeding and suboptimal intrapartum care.

Critics highlight that the UP government’s focus on facility numbers overlooks quality benchmarks. "Merely building NICUs won’t suffice without trained staff and community awareness," said a pediatrician at BRD Medical College, requesting anonymity. The state has yet to disclose mortality data from its newly operational units.