Shimla: Infant mortality rate has declined from 45 to 40 per thousand in Himachal as per the report of the Sample Registration Survey (RS) conducted by the Health Ministry, state Health Minister Rajiv Bindal said on Saturday.
The Infant Mortality rate (IMR) was stagnating at 45 for some years but the government succeeded in breaking this barrier by adopting new policies and launching new initiatives, he said.
The report released on Friday was encouraging and would give boost to the government to further improve its performance, he said.
Bindal said Anganwari workers had been declared as link workers in the state and the Health Department had initiated an extensive programme on Home Based New Born Care to be implemented from the next financial year.
He said 'Matri Sewa Yojana' launched by the government last year for institutional delivery and treatment of infants free of cost had proved a boon and contributed largely in reducing the IMR drastically.
The rate of institutional deliveries had increased from 50 per cent to 70 per cent and pregnant women were being provided free diagnostic facility.
Besides, the introduction of Atal Swastya Sewa was a revolutionary step under which the pregnant women and infants were being provided free, prompt and timely transfer to the nearest and appropriate health institutions.
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