A survey conducted by UNICEF estimates that about 400 infants below the age of 1 with 2/3rds of those children within a month die every day in Bihar due to causes that could be easily prevented through simple intervention programs.

Quoting experts, UNICEF says that “nutritional status of women, breastfeeding practices, health and hygiene practices, malnutrition, lack of services and professional advice and treatment at the village level” are the major causes for these deaths.

India’s National Rural Health Mission has committed the nation to reducing its child mortality numbers. A unique program of the Bihar Government is being introduced where it will partner with UNICEF to train Anganwadi professionals to counsel mothers about correct health and child care practices.