BHUBANESWAR: In a very healthy sign, Odisha has jumped from the bottom of the ladder to the top ranks among all the States in the country in arresting infant mortality rate (IMR).
The State, which in 2005 was ranked second last in IMR with 75 in 1,000 live births, has been able to bring the mortality rate down to 61, according to the latest review of the Centre.
The IMR in rural areas has come down significantly to 63 from a high of 78 in 2005 while in urban areas it has gone down to 43 from 55.
The achievements have been result of the efforts put in under NRHM for strengthening grassroots infrastructure as well as deployment of trained medical personnel and ancillary workforce. Provisioning of both fiscal and logistical support to the pregnant women to go for institutional delivery also contributed to the success, Health Department sources said.