Madhya Pradesh, which has the dubious distinction of being a ‘bimaru’ state in a reference to its poor development and sick economy indicators is making a push to salvage its reputation. Enhancing nutritional outcomes has now become the top-most priority, and, thus the state has announced a new nutrition policy.
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The infant mortality rate (IMR) in MP records the country’s worst rate. In rural areas of Madhya Pradesh, 52 children below one died per 1,000 live births (Infant mortality rate) and in the Urban area, it is 36. However, the country’s average stands at 23 deaths for urban areas and 36 deaths for rural. As per the Sample Registration System bulletin issued by the office, the Infant Mortality Rate for boys in Madhya Pradesh stood at 51, whereas for girls it was 46 in 2018.
Manish Singh, Deputy Director, State-unit of National Health Mission explained that as many as 26 infants of 1,000 live births in Madhya Pradesh died within the first seven days constituting more than half the infant deaths. He also said, “Increasing premature deliveries, infections, birth asphyxiation and delay in securing treatment leading to complicated deliveries were the major causes.”
