Fact:
India has been ranked 12th-worst among 52 low-middle income countries based on the number of children dying within the first month of their birth.
What is IMR?
Infant mortality rate (IMR) is the number of deaths per 1,000 live births of children under one year of age.
What is happening?
- According to recently released Sample Registration Bulletin (SRS), India has registered a significant decline of 8% in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in 2016.
- IMR in India has declined by three points from 37 per 1000 live births in 2015 to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016.
- The gender difference between female and male IMR has reduced to below 10%, giving major boost to Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.
- Among Empowered Action Group (EAG) states and Assam, all states except Uttarakhand have reported decline in IMR compared to 2015.
Why is this happening?
- The results signify that strategic approach of Health Ministry has started yielding dividends and also efforts of focusing on low performing States is paying off.
- These remarkable achievements in short span of time are result of countrywide efforts to increase health service coverage through various initiatives of Government.