IMR: Two Northeast states record significant achievement

Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh among the northeastern states have achieved a significant reduction in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and it has been appreciated at the national level.

As per the latest Sample Registration Survey (2017-2019), Tripura has recorded a six-point reduction (from 27 to 21) in the Infant Mortality Ratio, according to official sources.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare appreciated five states for such achievements-- Arunachal Pradesh (8 points reduction), Tripura (6 points), Telengana, Uttarakhand and Andhra Pradesh for 4 points reduction.

Dr. Mousumi Sarkar, State Immunization Officer and Dr. Sanjoy Rudra Pal, State Programme Officer, on behalf of Tripura have received the token of appreciation from the MoHFW, GOI in New Delhi on Saturday.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in a tweet lauded the entire healthcare team for this significant achievement.

"Under the guidance of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, #Tripura achives 6 points reduction in the Infant Mortality Ratio (IMR) as per latest SRS. The state receives token of appreciation from @MoHFW_INDIA. Congratulations to all the healthcare workers for their commendable job", he tweeted.

The Figure indicates that IMR at all India level has declined from 47 to 30 in the last decade

As per the SRS report released by the Ministry of Health, the present level of IMR (30 infant deaths per thousand live births, for the year 2019) is about one-fourth as compared to 1971 (129 infant deaths per thousand live births).

In the last ten years, IMR has witnessed a decline of about 34% in both rural and urban areas. The Figure indicates that IMR at all India level has declined from 47 to 30 in the last decade. The corresponding decline in rural areas is 51 to 34, and for urban areas it is from 31 to 20.

Despite the decline in IMR over the last decades, one in every 33 infants die within first year of their life at the National level (irrespective of rural-urban). Among the States/Union Territories, the IMR ranges from 3 in Mizoram and Nagaland (minimum) to 46 in Madhya Pradesh (highest) for 2019, the report said.

In the Northeast, Assam has the Highest IMR (40) followed by Meghalaya (33), Arunachal Pradesh (29), Manipur (10), Nagaland (3), Mizoram (3) and Tripura (21).

As per the SRS, Tripura registered Birth Rate (12.8), Death Rate (5.5) and Natural Growth Rate (7.4).

In 2019, the highest birth rate has been observed at 25.8 in Bihar whereas Andaman and Nicobar Islands has the lowest birth rate of 11.0.