Lancet study on decline in child mortality incorrect, says NGO

A new study published in medical journal Lancet on accelerating decline in the deaths of children under five years between 2000 and 2010 as compared to 1990-2000 has got its figures wrong on India, says Save the Children, a non-governmental organisation.

 Infant mortality: Govt plans strict monitoring in districts

To ensure effective tracking of pregnant women and their newborn, the health department has assigned senior health officials to carry out monitoring in districts. Each of the 33 districts has been assigned to a health official above the rank of deputy director, including two IAS officers....

 Infant deaths to fall below 30 per 1,000 live births by 2012: Survey

With the gradual fall of crude birth and death rates, the country expects to lower its infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1,000 live births by 2012, although block and village level annual plans have not been prepared for 24 States and UT, the Economic Survey said.

 Rajasthan moves to register child

The Rajasthan government’s decision to register all marriages, including child marriages, has stirred a huge controversy. The NGOs are protesting against this saying it would promote child marriages. But the government claims this won’t give legal sanction to the social evil....

 Children contract HIV due to negligence

Five Thelisemic children have been infected with HIV due to tainted blood transfusions in a hospital in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The Umaid hospital's medical negligence has left the parents shattered and their children's lives irreparably damaged...

 No financial crisis impact? India's poor grew by 34 mn

It's a myth that the global financial crisis left India virtually unscathed. In fact, India is the biggest victim of financial crisis-induced poverty, according to data obtained by TOI from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs' (UNDESA). Check out these figures...

 Costly healthcare pushes 39m into

In India, private spending on health is 4.2% of GDP. More than 70% of all health expenditure in India is paid for by people from their own pockets and this expenditure has been rising, especially for the poorest with increasing privatization of healthcare.