The pace of decline in infant mortality in India
has quickened in recent years after the introduction of the National
Rural Health Mission. However, the post-neonatal deaths have declined
faster than the neonatal deaths despite the emphasis on preventing the
latter in the health mission. Apart from a number of reasons, this is
linked to the poor quality of the public health services in general, and
the undernourishment and anaemia levels of pregnant women in
particular.
