Bhubaneswar: Odisha has made significant strides in the areas of
institutional delivery. Utilization of public health facilities for
institutional delivery and post-natal care, full immunization
coverage, reduction in anaemia among the pregnant women and reduction
of Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and
Under-5 Mortality rates, better care for woman during pregnancy and
child birth has contributed to the reduction of infant deaths and
improved child survival, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Addressing the 61st All India Congress of Obstetrics & Gynecology
organised by Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of
India (FOGSI) here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said,
“Institutional deliveries in the state have been increased from 22.6
percent in 1998-99 to 85.4 percent in 2015, which is better than
national average of 78.9 percent. This increase in institutional
deliveries during this period is the second highest in the country
next only to Sikkim. In addition, the full immunization coverage,
among children has also increased substantially and Odisha has jumped
from 16th rank in 2000 to 5th rank 2015-16. This is a significant
achievement in terms of protecting children from vaccine-preventable
diseases.”
Highlighting that Odisha has made spectacular achievement with 56
points decline in IMR from 96 in 2000 to 40 in 2015-16, which is
better than the national average of 41, the CM said this is the
highest decline in IMR in the country and far better than national
average decline of 27 points. This reduction in IMR translates into
51,000 more children being saved annually. Likewise, Under-5
mortality rate has been reduced from 104 to 49 per 1000 live births,
which is also better than the national average of 50, Patnaik added.
Since 2000, Odisha has recorded 202 points reduction in MMR which is
better than the national average reduction of 160 points. These
encouraging achievements have been made possible by the commitment of
our workforce including doctors, para-medics and extension functionaries.
Our enabling policies coupled with sustained efforts towards effective
implementation of schemes like Janani Surakhya Yojana, Niramaya-a free
drug distribution scheme, dedicated ambulance and continuing focus on
overall improvement in the quality of health care at the public health
facilities, he added further.
Naveen further stated that the government has taken initiatives to
open seven new medical colleges in the state to meet the shortage of
doctors. Of these, two medical colleges at Baripada and Koraput have
already started functioning. The government is also upgrading various
public health institutions with better infrastructural facilities.
From 2000 onwards, about 5000 doctors have been posted to fill up
vacancies, especially in remote areas and recruitment of more than
2000 doctors is in process, he said.
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