State fares better than national average on infant mortality rate

Jammu, December 29

Jammu and Kashmir has fared better than many other states in the country with regard to the Infant Mortality Rate. In 2013, the state recorded an Infant Mortality rate (IMR) of 37 as compared to the national average of 40.

“The infant mortality rate in the state has come down from 39 in 2012 to 37 in 2013 and is recorded better than the national average of 40 as revealed by latest data of Sample Registration System 2014 bulletin.

“Efforts are on to further reduce it by laying stress on facility and home based newborn care,” Dr Arun Sharma, Programme Manager, National Health Mission, state health society Jammu and Kashmir said.

He said that to achieve the goal of infant mortality rate of less than 24 by 2017, the state under National Health Mission had adopted various strategies. “Under these interventions, the state has established 15 Special Newborn Care Units in district hospitals, 76 Newborn Stabilisation Units in community health centers and 274 baby care corners in different hospitals across the state,” he said. — PTI