Health Minister Dr. Rajeev Bindal said that the Infant Mortality Rate of Himachal Pradesh had come down to 40 from 45 in 2009, according to SRS bulletin 2010 released in Delhi on 29th December, 2011. He said that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of the State remained between 45 to 50 for the last many years and this sharp decline of Infant Mortality Rate was the result of many new initiatives taken by the State Government.
Dr Bindal said that Anganwari workers had been declared as link workers in the State and Health Department was initiating an extensive programme on Home Based New Born Care from the next financial year. He further said that 40 officers of the Health and ICDS Department have been imparted training in Maharashtra and they would train Anganwari workers of the State. After implementation of this scheme, the women and neonates of rural areas would be benefitted and it was expected that IMR of the State would reduce further, he said.
Dr. Bindal said that ‘Matri Sewa Yojana’ which was launched by the State Government last year provides institutional delivery and treatment of infants free of cost. He said that due to this provision, the rate of institutional deliveries had increased from 50 percent to 70 percent. He added that all pregnant women are being provided free diagnostics from August this year. He further remarked that the introduction of Atal Swastya Sewa is a revolutionary step and under this scheme pregnant women and infants arte being provided free, prompt and timely transfer to the nearest and appropriate health institutions. The Minister said that the Universal Immunization Programme, Birth Companion scheme and Family Planning programme were being implemented in the State effectively.
