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Orissa tops in infant mortality rate

M I Khan in Bhubaneswar

Orissa tops the infant mortality rate in the country, with 98 per 1000 births. The state has the distinction of having the highest rate for the last three decades.

According to the national population policy of the Union ministry of health and family welfare, Orissa is followed by Madhya Pradesh.

In Orissa, most cases have been reported from the drought-prone regions of Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput districts. ''Though most of the cases come from those districts, tribal dominated districts like Phulbani and Keonjhar also report many cases," a top official of the state health department stated.

Orissa's rate has come down to 98 per 1000 this year, according to the NPP 2000 report, against 126 in 1991.

During a recent visit to the state, Unicef's Indian representative Alan Court said the situation was alarming and different from other parts of the country.

"The high rate is a result of low birth weight of new-born babies. There is a need for long-term planing and Unicef is serious about the situation in Orissa,'' Court said after talks with government officials and non-government organisations.

A state government document, 'Orissa State Plan of Action For Children 2000', which was released in September 1995 stated that one of its major goals was reduction of the rate to 60 per 1,000 live births.

The state government is planning a task force to reduce the rate, minister of state for health Debi Mishra said.

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