2018-19: 1,768 children aged up to five died in Mumbai, 449 within 24 hours of delivery

In 2018-19, at least 449 children had died within 24 hours of delivery in the city, accounting for maximum deaths in neonates (newborns).

In all, 814 had died within a month of birth, indicating the lack of intensive care support for neonates in the city.

In the state’s largest government hospital, JJ hospital, for instance, data shows that of the 83 ventilators, over 15 per cent lie defunct.

“In BMC hospitals, facilities for neonatal care are not enough for a large number of admissions. Staff strength remains insufficient,” said Kothari.

“In a lot of cases, asphyxia or congenital malformation can lead to death within hours of birth. Deaths due to infection are highest within days of delivery. We are seeing more premature births now due to rise in IVF procedures that also increases risk,” said neonatologist Dr Bhupendra Awasthi.

Across Maharashtra, infant deaths dropped marginally by 0.65 per cent from 15,314 deaths recorded in 2018-19. Efforts made by the state government in Palghar to improve maternal nutrition and care also saw number of deaths reduce by almost half.

In 2017-18, there were 326 deaths, which reduced to 188 in 2018-19.

Infant deaths in Nandurbar, the northern tribal belt of Maharashtra, however, rose by 11 per cent to 663 in 2018-19.

Local experts claimed lack of government outreach programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana

Yojana and institutional delivery have led to high neonatal mortality.

The state public health department is also in the process of increasing sick newborn care units (SNCUs) to handle premature and critical babies. “With health and wellness centres under Ayushman Bharat, where maternal and child care will be improved, we hope to reduce maternal and infant mortality. The access to health services will improve,” said Anup Kumar Yadav, Director of State National Health Mission.