Infant mortality rate in J-K goes down by two points; better than national average

Srinagar: The infant mortality rate in Jammu and Kashmir has come down by two points but is still three points better than national average. It was 39 in 2012 but 37 in 2013, which is three points better than the national average of 40.

A latest data of Sample Registration System 2014 bulletin said efforts are on to further reduce it by laying stress on facility and home based newborn care. The IMR has set a goal to bring it down to 24 or even below by 2017 and for this purpose Jammu and Kashmir has under National Health Mission adopted various strategies.

Officials in Jammu said that the reduction in infant mortality rate has become possible due to strengthening of facility based newborn care and home based newborn care programmes.

Under these interventions, Jammu and Kashmir has established 15 special newborn care units in district hospitals, 76 newborn stabilization units in community health centres and 274 baby care corners in different hospitals across the State, they added.