For the last three years, Manipur has achieved the lowest infant mortality rate (IMR) despite being up against traditionally well-equipped states, the Times of India reported.
The state, usually in the news for terrorist activity and civil unrest, is estimated to have only nine deaths per 1000 live births, according to the health ministry report.
The national IMR, according to the latest available data, is close to five times higher – at 43 deaths per 1000 births.
The reasons for the state’s success include better medical facilities, effective immunization, a high increase in institutional deliveries and women empowerment among others, said officials told ToI.
An increase in the number of health units, doctors, nurses and the number of beds in government and private hospitals also contributes to the low figure.
“The society in general and pregnant women and their families, in particular, are very health conscious. Pregnant women never miss the antenatal health checkup in all trimesters,” said Manipur family welfare director K Rajo Singh to ToI.
Rajo also said that 4000 plus trained women personnel from the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) facilitate tests before pregnancy, institutional deliveries and proper childcare, contributing to such healthcare efforts.
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According to the state health department’s official record, the state also saw a massive decrease in cases of TB, malaria and leprosy.
This year, Manipur and other north eastern states were hit by some of the worst floods, leading to a considerable loss of properties and human casualties in the state.
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