Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Sep 13: As per the information provided by the officials of department of health and family welfare of Karnataka, the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the state has gone up to 25 from the previous 24.

This number is an expression of the infants who die for every 1,000 live births. Earlier, 24 children used to die for every 1,000 live births and now it has steadily increased to 25, which is alarming.

The corresponding information was shared by Jawaid Akhtar, principal secretary of the department of health and family welfare, who said, "IMR has risen by one in 2017. This came to our notice in a meeting that was held recently at the office of the commissioner." This data seems to be the last updated one with the department.

According to Jawaid, improper reporting is also a factor that is affecting the monitoring of IMR. In this connection he said, "There is miscalculation apart from not entering the data of check-ups in tabs given to Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM). IMR is considered as perinatal death."

Earlier, the state had an IMR of 28, which was brought down to 24 through consecrated efforts by the state health department. However, according to Jawaid, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are not qualified enough for this type of work and they need to be trained.

"Our levels of targets are going up. There is a crucial role to be played by the Reproductive Child Health Officers. They should hand out notes to ASHA like they do in coaching centers," added Jawaid.

According to Dr Rajini Nageshrao, deputy director of nutrition at the department of health and family welfare the reporting needs to be upgraded to solve this issue. She advised that all the primary health officers to maintain a register giving details of the children who are malnourished or suffer from anaemia and also monitor the IMR and maternal mortality in respective areas.