U5MR Down To 17 Points

In a single year, the Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) in Jammu and Kashmir has decreased from 21 to 17 points per 1000 live births, Neo natal Mortality rate from 15 to 12, Early Neo Natal Mortality Rate from 10 to 08 and Sex Ratio at birth increased from 918 to 921 as per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2020 released earlier this week by Registrar General of India (RGI).

The J&K has already achieved the global target of reducing the under-five mortality rate to less than 25 per 1000 live births, much ahead of the global target.

Jammu and Kashmir also showed an “incremental” performance in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of good health and well being of people.

Among others, the officials credit effective implementation of quality healthcare services and focus on safe institutional delivery of women in achieving the feat.

The entire Health and Medical Education Department with active support from National Health Mission (NHM), officials say, has put strenuous efforts to provide essential newborn care at public health institutions across the J&K through Facility Based & Home Based Newborn Care Interventions.

The overall IMR is even 11 points down than the national average of 28 per cent which is in consonance with claims made by the officials.

As was observed by the Supreme Court, “unprecedented neonatal/infant deaths took place in January-May 2012” in one of hospitals meant for the children here.  While over 500 infants died alone in 2012, the top court had underlined that the quality of medical care in government hospitals across J&K was a matter which should receive attention. The observations were made by the top court in 2016 and in four years proceeding to the matter, the high court had passed numerous orders which prompted a response from officials which seems to be showing up now.  In the last several years, many gains have been achieved towards the ultimate goal.

Pertinently, according to National Family Healthy Survey (NFHS-5), conducted by International Institute of Population Sciences Mumbai, J&K recorded 22 points decrease in Neonatal Mortality Rate (NNMR) from 23.1 to 9.8, 16 is unprecedented and is the reflection of health status of general population.

While improvement in various parameters is a great feat, constant efforts are needed to make them remarkable.

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