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Gadchiroli Model: 62.2% Reduction in Neonatal Mortality; ASHA-Led Home Care Key to Decongesting SNCUs

Social IssuesPolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
03 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:39% to 90% institutional deliveries109 lakh to 194 lakh women delivering11.3 lakh to 14.45 lakh sick newborns in SNCUs28% increase in SNCU admissions62.2% reduction in neonatal mortality (Gadchiroli)97% of LBW/preterm managed at home
Bodies:MoHFWSEARCH
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What This Article Covers

1.India's institutional delivery rate rose from 39% (2005-06) to 90% (2023-24), causing overcrowding in SNCUs and a series of tragic neonatal deaths.

2.The Gadchiroli field trial (SEARCH) demonstrated a 62.2% reduction in neonatal mortality through trained community health workers managing home-based care.

3.India's 8,00,000 ASHAs already trained in HBNC can be leveraged to decongest SNCUs, but severe cases still require hospital care.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

India's success in increasing institutional deliveries to 90% has led to overcrowded Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), resulting in preventable neonatal deaths from fires and infections. The Gadchiroli model offers a complementary home-based neonatal care (HBNC) strategy using trained ASHAs, which can reduce overload on hospitals and improve newborn survival.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Institutional deliveries (2023-24)90% (up from 39% in 2005-06)
Sick newborns in SNCUs (2023-24)14.45 lakh (28% increase from 2021-22)
Gadchiroli trial neonatal mortality reduction62.2% (The Lancet, 1999)
ASHAs trained in HBNC~8,00,000
Low birth weight/preterm managed at home (Gadchiroli)97%

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Institutional deliveries (2023-24): 90% (up from 39% in 2005-06)
  • ›Sick newborns in SNCUs (2023-24): 14.45 lakh (28% increase from 2021-22)
  • ›Target this Data: 62.2% reduction in neonatal mortality (Gadchiroli trial)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
  • ›Target this Scheme: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which organization conducted the Gadchiroli field trial that demonstrated the effectiveness of home-based neonatal care?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. India's institutional delivery rate increased from 39% in 2005-06 to 90% in 2023-24.

2. The number of sick newborns hospitalized in SNCUs increased by 28% from 2021-22 to 2023-24.

3. The Gadchiroli model resulted in a 50% reduction in neonatal mortality.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what was the percentage reduction in neonatal mortality achieved in the Gadchiroli field trial?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the three-part strategy proposed in the article?

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