The infant mortality rate (IMR) has declined in Rajasthan by two points. The IMR in the state is 41 per 1,000 live births, according to the bulletin of Sample Registration System-2016 issued this month.
The Sample Registration System or SRS is a system to take into account births and deaths in a village or urban block during a given period.
Reacting over the drop in IMR, health minister Kali Charan Saraf on Friday said, “Decline in IMR by two points is really good news. The state government is paying special attention towards mother and child health services and I hope with such special efforts, IMR will be further reduced in the state.”
According to the SRS, the IMR in Rajasthan was 49 per 1,000 live births in 2012, 47 in 2013, 46 in 2014 and 43 in 2015.
Giving detailed information over the issue, principal secretary, medical and health, Veenu Gupta said that special efforts were paid by the state government to bring down maternal mortality rate (MMR) and IMR. “Chirayu programme was launched in June this year in eight high priority districts — Barmer, Dholpur, Karauli, Jalore, Rajsamand, Sawai Madhopur, Sirohi and Udaipur — which has borne positive results. Along with, network of newborn services was strengthened at primary health centre, community health centres and at district hospitals across the state,” she said.
Gupta further said that 53 sick newborn care units (SNCU) were set up in the state to provide necessary health services to neonates (1-28 days). The units were provided with radiator warmer, phototherapy machine, syringe infusion pump, pulse oximeter and other necessary equipment for the child care. The government also appointed trained staff to treat underweight neonates and premature babies and children suffering from various diseases such as breathing problem, infection and jaundice. Besides, newborn stabilisation units have been set up at select community health centres to prevent neonatal death due to birth asphyxia, infection, diarrhoea and hypothermia.
{{/usCountry}}Gupta further said that 53 sick newborn care units (SNCU) were set up in the state to provide necessary health services to neonates (1-28 days). The units were provided with radiator warmer, phototherapy machine, syringe infusion pump, pulse oximeter and other necessary equipment for the child care. The government also appointed trained staff to treat underweight neonates and premature babies and children suffering from various diseases such as breathing problem, infection and jaundice. Besides, newborn stabilisation units have been set up at select community health centres to prevent neonatal death due to birth asphyxia, infection, diarrhoea and hypothermia.
{{/usCountry}}The government also provided vaccines to children under universal immunisation programme to protect them from nine diseases. “83% children in the state have been completely vaccinated and those who have been deprived from complete immunisation are being immunised through Mission Indradhanush,” Gupta said.