Srinagar, Jan 11: Kashmir’s largest maternity hospital, Lal Ded, has surpassed the national average in neonatal care by reducing the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) to 9.9 per 1,000 for the year 2024, officials said on Saturday.
Government Medical College Srinagar, in a statement, said that the neonatal mortality rate has been effectively contained at the maternity facility through advanced treatment methods.
“These improvements have ensured that the rate remains well below the national average, demonstrating the hospital’s success in providing high-quality care,” it stated.
As per the figures, in 2024, the LD hospital attended to a total of 221,163 outpatients in OPD, with 37,908 inpatient (IPD) admissions with 29,939 live births.
“Further, 3,107 neonatal IPD admissions were recorded. Out of these neonatal admissions, 297 deaths occurred, resulting in a neonatal mortality rate of 9.9 per 1,000 which is below than national neonatal mortality—which at present is 17-21 per 1,000 live births,” the figures said.
The millennium developmental goal is to reduce the neonatal mortality rate to 12 per 1000 live births. This figure reflects a remarkable achievement in the face of challenges and is attributed to the advanced healthcare system at the valley’s lone tertiary maternity hospital.
One of valley’s greatest public health successes is fall in infant mortality attributed to the quality of care which has improved within the institution, saving even more lives.
An official of the medical college, said the state-of-the-art medical infrastructure and skilled medical professionals at the hospital have played a crucial role in maintaining these positive outcomes.
Pertinently, doctors said that patients who need termination of pregnancies earlier in maternal interest or for different reasons like decreased blood flow to foetus are also referred to LD hospital which also increases neonatal admissions and mortality.
“But given the all facts and advanced health care system the neonatal mortality rate is below the national average,” the official said.
Officials said different measures have been implemented to reduce the NMR in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). “These include the round-the-clock availability of doctors and paramedics, the provision of high-end equipment such as ventilators, CPAP machines, and warmers, as well as the free availability of life-saving medications like surfactants.”
They said the hospital ensures there is consistent support for oxygen supply, including an oxygen plant that provides adequate pressure for ventilators and CPAP machines.
LD Hospital, with its 710 beds, is the primary maternity and neonatal care center for the region, serving not only the valley but also districts such as Ramban, Doda, Rajouri and Kishtwar, as well as Ladakh.
They said that the hospital’s comprehensive approach to healthcare has made it a vital resource for improving neonatal health in the region.
Neonatal Mortality Rate in India, World:
As per World Organization figures in India, the NMR (per 1000 live births) has improved by 67 deaths per 1000 live births from 85 [78-93] in 1969 to 18 [16 -21] in 2022. As per the WHO, worldwide, the neonatal mortality rate (per 1000 live births) has improved by 19 deaths per 1000 live births from 37 [3 -38] in 1990 to 17 [16 – 19] in 2022.
