Orissa achieves fastest reduction in infant mortality rate.

Giving a boost to the social development so far as the State's health setup is concerned, the infant mortality rate (IMR) count of Orissa has registered the fastest reduction from 97 to 73 per thousand in seven years. Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Tuhin Kanta Pandey revealed the achievement of the fastest control of the infant mortality rate (IMR). Similarly, on the sex ratio count, Orissa's record is much better than that of any of the developed States, he further said. Revealing the other side of the story he categorically mentioned about the female foeticide stigma looming large over the State.
Speaking on the State Level Advocacy Workshop on Quality of Primary Health Care in Orissa with Special Reference to Women, organised by a leading voluntary body, Mamata, here on Sunday, Pandey said Orissa is much ahead of Punjab and Harayana. However, the tribal areas of the State maintain better sex ratio than the coastal region, he pointed out.Chairman of Mamata and former Chief Secretary SB Mishra chaired the workshop organised with the support from the Population Foundation of India (PFI). Director National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) SK Lohani harped on the success of institutional delivery system, which has gone up from 34 per cent to 61 per cent in the State. Director Social Welfare and Chief of Mission Sakti Usha Padhi highlighted the Women Self Help Group movement in the State, saying that it has brought economic freedom for a large number of rural women.
Almas Ali of PFI expressed concern over the falling health system in the rural areas, while CYSD secretary Jagadananda harped on the role of NGOs and activists in arresting the weaknesses in the health sector. Project Director of Mamata, Bijoya Mishra, emphasised on the care for the mothers. Director Health Services BS Tripathy, Seba Mahapatra, Saraswati Swain and NGO coordinator Manoranjan Mishra also attended the workshop, in which more than 200 NGO representatives, doctors, health administrators and educationists participated.