A pilot project launched by the government in four districts of the state, with the aim of bringing down the infant mortality rate (IMR) has yielded positive results, with a slight rise witnessed in the IMR.
The project was undertaken by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics ( Kerala chapter) under the aegis of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
The officials said that their aim is to bring down the infant mortality rate to below 10 per cent.
The study was carried out in the light of 75 infant deaths which happened in the four districts of Wayanad, Kannur, Ernakulam and Kollam. “Premature birth is cited as the major cause of infant mortality.
A majority of the infants were underweight and premature babies. Congenital anomalies and viral infections were some of the other major causes,” he said. The study also suggested that hospitals should be equipped with facilities to protect
newborn babies, special units should be created right from the Taluk-level and training programmes should be undertaken to tackle the issue. Dr M K C Nair, former national president, Indian Medical Association and NRHM district coordinator K V Beena were also present.