Continuing a trend of going down, the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has shown a further drop to 47 (deaths per 1,000 live births) from 50 in 2009, showing a reduction of three points as compared to the previous year.

The latest data released by the Registrar General of India (RGI) in its sample registration system for 2010 showed a drop of 2 points in the rural IMR and 3 points in urban IMR.
Calling the trend of continuous drop in the IMR as “hopeful figure” health secretary P.K. Pradhan said that “If the trend continues, we will be able to achieve the target of 30 by 2015 as stipulated under the Millennium Development Goals. Slight push in some areas will definitely help to much extent,” he said.
The recent data saw a maximum drop of 5 points in states like Madhya Pradesh — the worst performing state in 2009.
Even as Madhya Pradesh continues to record maximum IMR of 62 in the country, the drop of 5 points from 2009, according to officials n the health ministry is considered “encouraging”.
Along with Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh has also saw the maximum drop of five points from 45 in 2009 to 40 in 2010.
“Madhya Pradesh took a lot of initiatives like establishment of sick new born care units. In Himachal Pradesh the presence of doctors in remote areas is one of the reasons for this,” added Mr Pradhan.
Meanwhile, a drop of four points was recorded in states like Bihar, Gujarat, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Meghalya, Sikkim and Tripura.
The IMR is the lowest in Goa at 10 — a drop of one point from 2009, followed by Kerala at 13, though it was 12 in 2009 and Manipur at 14. Along with Kerala, Mizoram (37), Dadar and Nagar Haveli (38) reported a one point increase from 2009.