Latest figures:Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) drops by 2 points

Latest figures:Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) drops by 2 points in Gujarat
By Japan K Pathak
Ahmedabad, 4 February, 2011





As per the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) estimates released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), Ministry of Home Affairs for the year 2009, it is noted that Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of Gujarat has dropped by 2 points from 50 (during 2008) to 48 infants(below 1 year age) deaths per 1000 live births during 2009.

As per the latest data released recently, the State of Goa has reported the lowest IMR of 11 infant deaths followed by Kerala with 12 infant deaths per 1000 live births during 2009. Gujarat is placed at 25th position so far as lowest IMR is concerned.

While the national average is 3 points drop, the States of Bihar, Karnataka, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, J&K, Andaman and Nicobar islands have reported 4 points decrease. Compare to this, Gujarat has reported 2 point decrease. Daman and Diu have registered the maximum drop of 7 points from 31 IMR in 2008 to 24 in 2009, followed closely by 6 points drop in Lakshadweep from 31 to 25.

Gujarat’s IMR was 60 in year 2001 and 2002. In 2003 it was 57, in 2004 it was one point improved 53, in 2005 the figure was 54, in 2006 it against jumped to 53 and then there’s continuous improvement year by year with IMR 52 in 2007, IMR 50 in 2008, and IMR 48 in 2009.

Thanks to Chirajnivi scheme, growth in institutionalized birth rate, 108 ambulance and number of other steps implemented by the state government, the IMR figure of 2010 is expected to be higher than any year before.

The Sample Registration System (SRS) is a large-scale demographic survey for providing reliable annual estimates of birth rate, death rate and other fertility & morality indicators at the national and sub-national levels. The SRS sample is replaced every ten years based on the latest census frame. At present, SRS is operational in 7,597 sample units (4,433 rural nd 3,164 urban) spread across all States and Union Territories and covers about 1.5 million households and 7.18 million population.