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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Centre raps Assam on mortality rate by Daulat Rahman

Centre raps Assam on mortality rate by Daulat Rahman

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published Published on Jan 24, 2011   modified Modified on Jan 24, 2011
The Centre has asked Dispur to take urgent steps to bring down Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in the state.

Sources said the Union health ministry had expressed concern over the key health indicators, IMR and MMR, which continue to worry the government despite the achievements made under the National Rural Health Mission. While the IMR is 58 per 1,000, the MMR in Assam is over 400 per 100,000 live births — the highest in the country. The national MMR is 250.

The Centre has made it clear that unless the mortality rate declines significantly, it will not be able to press the Planning Commission for higher outlay of funds under NRHM in the Twelfth Plan.

During a recent conference of health ministers in New Delhi, Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had appreciated the steps taken by the Assam government, particularly in creating modern health infrastructure and facilities under the NRHM.

Azad, however, said decline in mortality rates would be the real yardstick to assess quality healthcare.

The Centre has already written to the state health department to take effective steps to lower the IMR and the MMR. The health department has been asked to conduct a proper study to trace the real causes for the high MMR in the state. “Most women in Assam are anaemic which is genetic in nature. While this may be an important cause for the high MMR, there is no scientific study yet to reach a conclusion,” the source said.

The IMR during neo-natal period spanning 28 days from the day of birth is also very high. “The mortality rate has gone down slightly during the post-natal period between one month of birth to a year because of implementation of immunisation schemes,” the source said.

Dr J.N. Sarma, the head of paediatrics, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, said one of the main causes of the high IMR in the state was asphyxia neonatorum — a respiratory failure in newborns — a condition caused by inadequate intake of oxygen before, during, or just after birth.

Apart from infections, low birth weight (below 2.5kg) is another contributing factor to the high IMR, he added.

A health department official said the IMR had dropped from the pre-NRHM figure of 65 per thousand to 58 during the last five years. The IMR in the country has come down to 55. “The department is taking various steps like high focus on institutional deliveries and proper nutrition and health care during pregnancy and post-pregnancy periods to reduce MMR,” he added.

The Telegraph, 24 January, 2011, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110124/jsp/northeast/story_13483395.jsp


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