New Delhi: Ironically, while the number of deaths in Delhi surged because the Covid-19 pandemic, a sharp decline in birth registration has been registered in the first six months of this year, at least based on the Death and Birth Certificate reported.
Between January and June, only 1.1 lakh birth certificates were released, 30,000 less than in the same period in 2020 and almost 70,000 less than in 2019, according to data from the Department of Public Health from three city companies.
Experts suspect that the decline in birth decline might be caused by an increase in birth at home because of a pandemic, delay in pregnancy planned due to adverse social conditions and health care, travel restrictions, and large-scale migration from informal sector workers from Delhi.
The birth registration data for the first six months of 2021 shows that 22,936 births are registered in East Delhi Municipal Corporation, 46,102 in the North Corporation and 42,604 registration in SDMC.
In terms of East Delhi, the decline in birth registration has been 38% of the pre-pandemic level.
EDMC has registered 38,218 births in January-June in 2018 and 37,081 births in 2019, with periodic numbers falling after it became 32,647 in 2020 and 22,936 in 2021.
The birth rate during the period 2001 to 2019 has floated between 18 and 22 births.
per 1,000 population.
The annual report of the Delhi government regarding the registration of birth and death stated that the registration of the birth of 3.6 lakh took place in 2019, 3.6 lakh in 2018 and 3.7 lakh in 2017.
Delhi has historically have a very high percentage of institutional, namely birth at home sick, nursing homes and maternal and child welfare centers.
In 2019, for example, of the 3.6 lakh registered births, more than 91% occurred in institutional arrangements.
Toi has reported in February how the pandemic has reversed the decadal trend of a consistent increase in institutional administration in the city.
A city official reasoned that the increase in shipping of a baby home because hospitals were closed for general procedures in the pandemic period could also be the reason behind the decline in birth registration in Delhi.
Delhi has a strong civil registration system where 100% birth is usually registered.
“Many children born at home, not in hospitals may still not be registered,” the official said.
“Most large hospitals are burdened by Covid cases and people may choose not to take moms who expect hospitals in cases where there are no medical complications.
In addition, large-scale migration from unorganized city workers It can also contribute to a downward trend.
“Dr.
Shivani Sachdev, Secretary General, Reproduction of the Indian Assisted Society, said that this might be a temporary decline in birth with many partners who delay planned pregnancies.
“Everyone in trouble and potential parents say they delay direct plans to start the family,” Sachdev said.
“Pregnant women need family support and all plans will be affected by travel restrictions and lack of medical facilities.
Now, the pair once more began to come to consultations in large quantities.”