Chandigarh, June 7
The General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, CWC Member and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja has expressed concern over the rising infant mortality rate in Haryana, stating that the true measure of a state’s progress lies in the health and well-being of its children and mothers. Referring to recently published data, She said Haryana’s infant mortality rate has risen to 24 deaths per 1,000 live births. She noted that thousands of children in the state die before celebrating their first birthday, making the situation particularly worrying when compared with neighbouring states such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. She said the increase in infant mortality over recent years indicates the need for stronger maternal and child healthcare services.
According to Selja, healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, neonatal care facilities, specialist doctors and regular health check-ups for pregnant women must be strengthened to address the issue effectively. She said the Congress has always advocated giving top priority to public health. Ensuring safe childbirth and quality healthcare for every child is both a constitutional and moral responsibility of the government, she added. She maintained that healthcare improvements cannot be achieved through announcements and publicity alone, and that measurable outcomes on the ground are essential. Selja urged the state government to conduct a comprehensive review of the factors contributing to the rise in infant mortality and take immediate corrective measures to prevent avoidable deaths among newborns.
