The National Capital had the worst infant Mortality Rate (IMR) among the four metropolitan cities between 2010 and 2012 with 30 newborns dying for every 1,000 live births, a new report has said. A substantial 64 per cent die within the first 28 days of their birth. Though the IMR has come down to 25 per cent 1,000 live births in the past months, the progress in reduction of neo-natal mortality rate (NMR) has been slower, according to ‘Save the Children’ flobal report ‘Ending newborn deaths, ensuring every baby survives ‘ that was launched.

In 2012, three million babies died within the first 28 days of their birth and a million babies died within the first 24 hours of their birth, it says. Comparatively, Chennai records the lowest IMR of 15 per 1,000 live births and in Mumbai and Kolkata it was 20 per 1,000 live births.

In respect to Delhi , where 50 percent of the children live in slums and 14.71 per cent of its population is below poverty line, the focus of National Health Mission on maternal and child Health Mission on maternal and child health, and espacially new born by providing adequate number of skilled forntline health workers, building community mechanism for monitoring and a stronger health system will enable the state to lead on tackling new born child survival the report points out.