Madhya Pradesh Accounts For 12% Of India's Under-Five Pneumonia Deaths, Bhopal's Hamidia Hospital Reports Up To Two Deaths Daily

In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Hamidia Hospital reports that up to two pneumonia-related deaths occur daily among children under five, accounting for 12% of India's under-five pneumonia deaths, ranking third behind Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The state faces a high child mortality rate of 44 deaths per 1,000 live births, with pneumonia being a leading cause of infant and under-five deaths.

At Hamidia Hospital, six to seven patients are diagnosed with pneumonia daily, with delayed diagnosis cited as a major contributing factor. Professor Lokendra Dave from Gandhi Medical College attributes the high pneumonia burden to factors such as high incidence rates and localized healthcare gaps. The state health department has recently expanded its capacity to manage critical cases, adding 62 special newborn care units and 68 pediatric intensive care units.