The UT Administration on Monday claimed that Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has reduced to 20 in the city. As per the last Sample Registration System published by the office of Registrar General of India released, the city had IMR (read number of deaths of infants within the first year per 1000 live births in the corresponding period) of 24. The IMR figure stood at 29 in the year 2008.
During a review meeting of the implementation of maternal and child health care services in the union territory held under UT Home-cum-Health Secretary Anil Kumar, it was informed that the IMR has reduced to 20 and also maternal mortality rate (MMR) against the MDGs has reduced to less than 100.
UT Health Secretary Anil Kumar said it is difficult to sustain these achievements because of the high rate and possibility of complications in the intra partum period. But efforts should be continuously made for the sustenance of these goals.
He said that since no Sample Registration Surveys are done in Chandigarh, there is difficulty in actual denominator against wholesome numerators. However, wholesome figures of total death generated through tracking of actual maternal and infant deaths give us a vision regarding future interventions and policies.
During the meeting, he assured all administrative support at various health facilities and thanked all workers for their valuable contribution. He also appreciated the efforts of the ANMs/ MPHWs/ lHVs. Notably, Chandigarh had bagged three awards for improvement in the indoor patient care, outdoor patient care and reduction in infant mortality rate/early neo-natal mortality at national summit on best practices and innovation in public health care held at Srinagar this year,
As per the health indicators presented by NRHM , the Union Territory stands second in the country among various UTs/ States having achieved Infant Mortality Rate 20 per thousand live births.
The Health Secretary added that the Health Department has taken initiative to add dedicated MCH wings at Civil Hospital Manimajra and more beds have been added at GMSH-16, Poly Clinic-45, Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres and Sick New Born Care Units.