Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 22: After getting No.1 Award in the health sector for two consecutive years, the Jammu and Kashmir has added another feather in its cap by receiving Rs 15 crore incentive for significant reduction in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). At present, the IMR in the State is lower than the all India average on the basis of 2011 census.
Sources in the State Finance Department told EXCELSIOR that Planning Commission of India has sanctioned inventive of Rs 15.36 crore in the favour of Jammu and Kashmir for achieving significant reduction in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) between the years 2009 and 2011 by making good use of the financial assistance being provided under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
In 2006 the IMR in Jammu and Kashmir was 52 infants per thousand live births but in 2011 it came down to 41 infants per thousand live births due to numerous steps taken under NRHM, sources said, adding, “the figure of 41 infants per thousand live births is lower than the target fixed by the State Health Ministry. Moreover, the present IMR in J&K is lower than the all India average, which is 44 infants per thousand live births.
About the steps which helped in bringing down the Infant Mortality Rate, sources said, this has become possible due to setting up of 273 baby care corners in the Primary Health Centres across the State. Moreover, in order to reduce the IMR, 69 stabilization units were installed in Community Health Centres across the State and 10 Sick New Born Care Units were set up in Leh, Kargil, Baramulla, Handwara, JLNM Hospital, Gandhi Nagar Hospital, Kathua, Udhampur, Poonch and Rajouri.
“These Sick New Born Care Units have been provided with four doctors, five staff nurses, one pediatrician, one lab technician and one data entry operator for their smooth functioning besides Rs 10 lakh each to meet the operational cost”, sources said, adding “as far as tertiary care institutions are concerned, Rs 2 crore each were released to G B Pant and SMGS Hospitals during the current financial year for purchase of equipment and infrastructure improvement”.
Responding to another question, sources said, “the capacity building of doctors in the neo natal care has also been receiving required focus and during the current year 100 doctors and other staff working in Sick New Born Care Units have been trained from Kalawati Saran Hospital, New Delhi till date”, adding “utilization of ASHA workers’ services in ensuring institutional deliveries has also played significant role in bringing down Infant Mortality Rate”.
About the utilization of Rs 15 crore incentive, sources said, “a detailed plan will be worked out for utilization of this amount for strengthening the infrastructure and bring down the IMR further”.
It is pertinent to mention here that J&K bagged No.1 State Award in the health sector for the second consecutive year on November 1, 2012. The award was received by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah during the 10th Annual India Today State of the States Conclave at Union Capital.
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