Institutional births have also registered a slight decline, from 94.9 per cent to 94.1 per cent, with deliveries in public health facilities falling from 77 per cent to 70.5 per cent. Additionally, deliveries attended by skilled health personnel have decreased from 95.6 per cent to 94.9 per cent. At the same time, the Caesarean section rate has increased from 10.4 per cent to 15.6 per cent.

The situation in child health and nutrition has also indicated a worrying trend. Exclusive breastfeeding among infants below six months has declined from 70.4 per cent to 54.3 per cent. Here, Rajasthan reflects a national trend where the figure dropped from 63.7 per cent to 55.8 per cent.

Among children under five years of age, wasting (low weight for height) has increased from 16.8 per cent to 19.8 per cent, while the proportion of underweight children (low weight for age) has risen from 27.6 per cent to 33.3 per cent.

Immunisation coverage has also witnessed a significant decline. Full immunisation coverage among children between 12 and 23 months has dropped from 85.3 per cent to 75.0 per cent.

While BCG coverage has fallen from 95.6 per cent to 92.9 per cent, coverage of all three doses of Pentavalent vaccine has declined from 89.4 per cent to 87.2 per cent, and measles vaccination coverage (first dose) has reduced from 91.1 per cent to 90.3 per cent.

Groups raise concerns

Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), Rajasthan, a key signatory in the letter to state Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar, said that this decline is concerning as it points to serious gaps in the reach and effectiveness of routine immunisation services. If not addressed urgently, it could increase the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks among children, JSA said.

On maternal health, JSA said, “These trends raise serious concerns regarding access to and quality of maternal and reproductive health services, as well as the effectiveness of family planning programmes. They underscore the urgent need for measures to ensure equitable access to safe and quality maternal healthcare across the state.”

On child health and nutrition, it said, “The long-term consequences could adversely affect children’s health, development and life opportunities.” On the immunisation process, it said that “this decline is concerning as it points to serious gaps in the reach and effectiveness of routine immunisation services. If not addressed urgently, it could increase the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks among children.”

The JSA has emphasised that many of the indicators showing deterioration “are key indicators under the National Health Mission, Poshan Abhiyaan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Failure to take timely corrective measures could adversely impact maternal and child mortality, malnutrition levels and the burden of preventable diseases in the state”.

The signatories in the letter to the Health Minister include the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), Indian Health Development Society, Basic Health Services (Udaipur), Jeevandhara, Jan Sambal Sansthan, and Jan Adhikar Manch, among others.

In their letter to Khimsar on Tuesday, they asked the state government for a special state-level action plan for indicators that have worsened in NFHS-6 and to undertake regular district-wise reviews; revitalise adolescent health programmes and strengthen efforts to prevent child marriage and adolescent pregnancies; improve the quality and credibility of maternity services in public health facilities; fill vacant positions, and ensure the availability of essential human resources, medicines and equipment; focused campaigns on breastfeeding, newborn care and child nutrition; and increase in budget allocations for maternal and child health services.

Hamza Khan is a seasoned Correspondent for The Indian Express, specifically reporting from the diverse and politically dynamic state of Rajasthan. Based in Jaipur, he provides high-authority coverage on the state's governance, legal landscape, and social issues, directly supporting the "Journalism of Courage" ethos of the publication. Expertise Politics & Governance: Comprehensive tracking of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, including policy changes (e.g., the Right to Health Bill and Anti-Mob Lynching Bills), bypoll dynamics, and the shifting power structures between the BJP and Congress. ... Read More

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