From a replacement-level fertility rate, rise in women operating bank accounts from 53 per cent to 79 per cent at all-India level to disturbing anaemia prevalence as well as obesity and C-section deliveries, the latest round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 5) has presented extreme picture of India’s health status across the States.
In spite of the substantial increase in the composition of iron folic acid (IFA) tablets by pregnant women for 180 days or more, anaemia among children and women continues to be a cause of concern. More than half of them, including pregnant women, are anaemic nationwide, as per the survey.
In the key indicators of the survey, exclusive breastfeeding to children under age six months has shown an improvement in all-India level from 55 per cent in 2015-16 to 64 per cent in 2019-21.
The child nutrition indicators have also shown a slight improvement at the all-India level as stunting has declined from 38 per cent to 36 per cent and underweight from 36 per cent to 32 per cent at the all-India level. In all phase-II States/UTs, the situation has improved in respect of child nutrition, but the change is not significant as drastic changes in respect of these indicators are unlikely in a short span period.
The survey has found that the institutional births have increased substantially from 79 per cent to 89 per cent atthe all-India Level. However, the institutional delivery is 100 per cent in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu and more than 90 per cent in 7 States/UTs out of 12 Phase II States/UTs.