Despite being one of India’s most economically advanced states, Maharashtra continues to struggle with a critical health issue—a high rate of low birth weight (LBW) babies. According to a review article published in BMJ Global Health, the state ranks among the top four contributors to India’s total LBW births, along with Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
Nearly Half of LBW Births Concentrated in Four States
The study analysed trends in low birth weight from 1993 to 2021 using data from five National Family Health Surveys (NFHS). While India has made progress—bringing down the national average of low birth weight births from 26% to 18%—the distribution remains uneven. Some states, such as Rajasthan and Delhi, have improved and now match the national average. However, states like Maharashtra still lag behind.
In fact, the 2019–21 NFHS data reveals that India recorded 4.2 million low birth weight babies in a single year, and just four states accounted for nearly 47% of these births:
- Uttar Pradesh (8.58 lakh)
- Bihar (4.3 lakh)
- Maharashtra (3.99 lakh)
- West Bengal (3.18 lakh)
Understanding Low Birth Weight: A Key Health Indicator
Birth weight serves as a crucial indicator of both maternal and neonatal health. Babies weighing less than 2.5 kg are classified as low birth weight—a condition that could stem from premature birth or poor maternal health. Neonatologist Dr. Nandkishor Kabra from Surya Children’s Hospital in Santacruz explains that factors such as maternal malnutrition, anaemia, hypertension, or infections are common contributors.
“These babies often face increased risks of developing chronic diseases or cognitive impairments later in life,” he adds.
Public Health Spending Remains Alarmingly Low
As reported by TOI, health experts argue that Maharashtra’s inability to reduce LBW cases is directly linked to inadequate public health investment. Dr. Ravi Duggal, a well-known health economist, has pointed out that India’s public health expenditure is among the lowest globally, with the national per capita spending at just Rs 1,448.
State-wise disparities are stark:
- Arunachal Pradesh spends Rs 6,706 per capita
- Sikkim allocates Rs 5,575 per capita
- Maharashtra, by contrast, spends just Rs 975 per capita
Worse still, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar fall even lower, spending Rs 806, Rs 892, and Rs 898 per capita respectively.
Need for Targeted and Sustained Interventions
Dr. S.V. Subramanian from the Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies, one of the study’s authors, emphasised that despite national progress, certain states remain far behind. “The continued high prevalence of low birth weight in some regions underscores the urgent need for sustained and targeted maternal and neonatal health interventions,” he stated.
Clearly, while India moves ahead economically, health inequities—especially those affecting newborns—demand urgent, focused, and well-funded public health strategies.