Maharashtra recorded 14,526 child deaths across seven districts in three years, Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar at Maharashtra winter session. The state also reported rising malnutrition cases. Meanwhile, Mumbai police logged 82 missing children cases in just 36 days, highlighting urgent safety concerns
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Maharashtra’s Public Health Minister, while speaking at the winter assembly session, cited government records, saying that seven districts of Maharashtra recorded 14,526 child deaths over the past three years. Shiv Sena leader Abitkar further shared the data in a written reply to a question raised by BJP legislator Sneha Dubey.
According to Minister Prakashrao Abitkar, between 2022-23 and 2024-25, Pune, Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Amravati, Akola and Yavatmal districts collectively reported 14,526 child deaths, reported PTI.
The figure includes infants and children under five admitted to government facilities, as well as cases of severe malnutrition. The Public Health Minister also said that 138 infant deaths have been recorded in the tribal-dominated Palghar district.
While citing the state health department's data as of November 2025, Prakashrao Abitkar also highlighted that 203 children were identified as suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and 2,666 from Moderate Acute Malnutrition.
He also emphasised that the proportion of underweight children was recorded at 0.23 per cent, while 1.48 per cent fell in the moderately underweight category.
While referring to the Sample Registration System 2022, released by the Registrar General of India, he highlighted that Maharashtra's estimated neonatal mortality rate stands at 11 per 1,000 live births, which is lower than the national average of 23.
Shiv Sena leader Abitkar further said that the state government has adopted multiple measures under the Integrated Child Development Services programme to reduce malnutrition.
MLA from Kolhapur, while highlighting the child deaths in the last few years, asserted, “These include regular health examinations, the Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Amrut Aahar Yojana for pregnant women, targeted interventions for SAM children, the Nutrition Campaign, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and the ‘Suposhit Maharashtra’ initiative,” as cited by news agency PTI.
Mumbai sees 82 missing children cases in 36 days
In a span of 36 days, from November 1 to December 6, the Mumbai Police recorded 82 cases of missing children and young adults, of which 60 were female, pointing to a sharp gender disparity. While cases of missing children are not new to the city, the numbers underline the continued need for vigilance, public awareness, and stronger child protection mechanisms.
Furthermore, the analysis of the data shows that older adolescents were the most affected, with 18-year-olds accounting for more than half of all cases, 41 girls and 13 boys.
The date also indicated that girls as young as five years and boys aged 11 years were among those reported missing during the period. Area-wise, police stations in Kurar Village, Vakola, Powai, Malwani, and Sakinaka reported multiple cases, indicating recurring hotspots across the city.
(With inputs from PTI)
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