Major drop in infant death rate in all states
The country seems to be in the pink of health, with the latest government health survey showing positive trends in key health indicators.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) for 2015-16, unveiled by the Union health ministry, reflects that concerted efforts and focused interventions in the health sector are translating to improved outcomes.
“Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) declined from 57 to 41 per 1,000 live births between NFHS-3 (2005-06) and NFHS-4. IMR has declined substantially in almost all the states during the last decade. It dropped by more than 20 percentage points in Tripura, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Odisha. “IMR substantially declined over the period from 79 per 1,000 live births in NFHS-1 (1992-93) to 41 per 1,000 live births in NFHS-4,” health secretary C.K. Mishra said.
Sex ratio at birth (females per 1,000 males) improved from 914 to 919 at the national level over the last decade with highest in
Sex ratio at birth (females per 1,000 males) improved from 914 to 919 at the national level over the last decade
Kerala (1,047), followed by Meghalaya (1,009) and Chhattisgarh (977). Haryana also witnessed a significant increase from 762 to 836.
Similarly, institutional births “dramatically” increased by 40 percentage points from 38.7 per cent in NFHS3 to 78.9 per cent in NFHS-4.
There was an increase of 34.1 per cent institutional births in public facilities, while each of the empowered action group states and Assam have experienced more than a 40 percentage point increase.
“Targeted approach through Janani Suraksha Yojana has paid off,” Mr Mishra said.
The ministry said that the proportion of women who received at least 4 antenatal care visits for their last birth has increased by 14 percentage points from 37 per cent to 51.2 per cent over the decade (2005-15), while there has been a substantial increase of 20 or more percentage points in 7 states.