The Hindu : Front Page : Infant mortality on the rise in Krishnagiri district

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Sunday, Sep 17, 2006
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Infant mortality on the rise in Krishnagiri district

S. Prasad

LACK OF AWARENESS: A newborn baby at CEMONC centre in Krishnagiri. — Photo: N. Bashkaran

Krishnagiri: Despite concerted efforts by the Government to tackle malnutrition and anaemia, the infant mortality rate (IMR) in Krishnagiri district has registered an increase when compared with other districts. Though the number of female infanticide cases has come down in Krishnagiri district, IMR is on the rise due to lack of sustained awareness campaigns and proper antenatal check up.

The State average in IMR is 30.1 for every 1,000 live births. Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts share the last rank with 39.5 for every 1,000 live births.

UNICEF in association with Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP) and Myrada conducted a household survey in 85 villages in Krishnagiri, Kaveripattinam, Bargur, Kelamangalam, Thally and Shoolagiri blocks recently. Based on the survey findings, more than 45 infant deaths were reported in 38 villages in Krishnagiri, Kaveripattinam and Bargur blocks for the months of July and August.

Similarly Myrada reported 37 infant deaths in 27 villages spread across Kelamangalam, Thally and Shoolagiri blocks during the same period. The majority of the deaths were due to home delivery by untrained women, anaemia, malnutrition, respiratory problems and asphyxiation during delivery.

Lack of awareness about neo-natal and post-natal care, as well as inadequate infrastructural facilities in health sub-centres were the reason behind the deaths. Convergence of line departments was urgently needed to reduce the IMR in Krishnagiri district, sources said.

According to statistics available with the Department of Health the IMR in Krishnagiri for the months of July and August is 19.6 and 22.1 for every 1,000 live births.

IMR was highest in Veppanapalli with 72.7 followed by Uthangkarai with 42.6 and Hosur with 35.3. The proportion was higher in rural areas with 23.7 when compared with urban areas. Though the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEMONC) centre was started 6 months ago in the Krishnagiri GH, it was not full-fledged due to lack of paediatricians. For that matter, the GH does not have a separate paediatric ward till date. Similarly, there was shortage of gynaecologists in the Hosur GH. The staying of village health nurses in their designated quarters is only 50 per cent. Vacancies of nurses should be immediately filled up, sources said.

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