Srinagar, Oct 29: In a major development, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has an infant mortality rate (IMR) of 20 against the national average of 30.
According to the Sample Survey System (SSS) released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), J&K has 20 IMR per 1000 births against the national average of 30.
The result has helped the UT to secure the seventh rank among the states and union territories (UT), by being successful in reducing the IMR.
IMR is defined as death per 1,000 live births of babies under the age of one year.
According to the survey, Kerala topped the list with just six deaths followed by Delhi with an IMR of 11, Tamil Nadu 15, Maharashtra 17, Punjab 19, and West Bengal 20 respectively.
In J&K, the Infant Mortality Rate is 20 per 1000 live births. In urban pockets of J&K, the IMR is 17 while in rural pockets it is 21.
As per the survey, infant mortality rate by sex and residence in J&K is 20 against the national average of 30. Among them, male IMR is 20 and female IMR is 21.
The infant mortality rate has been reduced from 52 (2005) to 22 (2018). The current national average of infant mortality rate stands at 20.
For the survey, 350 sample units were taken from J&K- 226 from rural areas and 124 from the urban areas.
Similarly, the birth rate in J&K is 14.9 against the national average of 19.7.
As per survey, the death rate by sex and residence in J&K is 4.6 against the national average of 6.0.
According to the officials, J&K has been able to achieve "remarkable improvement" in multiple indicators related to maternal and child health in recent years, with a decline in infant mortality rate (IMR).
Dr Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson, Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir told Rising Kashmir that the rural health infrastructure has been upgraded, which in turn has decreased the IMR in the state.
"In every district hospital, we have equipped theatres where doctors perform successful deliveries. Also, Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) and advanced wards, childbirth and care facilities have been created. These are the reasons which have contributed to low mortality rate," he said.
He also said that strengthening of NICUs and SNCUs, implementation of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, hiring of manpower has also contributed to the overall improvement of the health sector.
SNCUs have been established in 27 districts and other equivalent hospitals, three NICUs, newborn stabilisation units (NBSUs) and newborn care corners (NBCCs) have been set up in 264 delivery points with financial and technical support from the National Health Mission.
The government is planning to further decrease the infant mortality rate in the Union Territory to single digit by 2022.
