India, April 22 -- In a concerning statistic, Maharashtra recorded 117,136 infant deaths-an average of nearly 46 deaths per day-between 2017 and 2023. Data procured by Hindustan Times through RTI shows that Mumbai reported the highest toll at 22,364, with other high-burden districts being Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Akola. The number of deaths declined in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic but increased in subsequent years, reaching 17,436 in 2023.

Government officials attribute the rise to improved surveillance, increased institutional deliveries and better reporting systems post-pandemic. In contrast, health experts point to systemic issues-delayed referrals, inadequate infrastructure, and missed antenatal care-as key dr...