Unfortunate! At least 5,900 infant babies died in last three years in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu, January 10: At least 5,900 infant deaths in Jammu and Kashmir took place in last three years. This was said by state Health Minister Bali Bhagat in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council in a written reply to a question during the question hour. 

To a question of PDP MLC Firdous Ahmed Tak, Minister Bali Bhagat said that at least 5,900 infant deaths in Jammu and Kashmir took place in last three years. He further said that the highest 2,288 infant deaths took place in 2016-17, followed by 2,034 in 2015-16 and 1,578 in 2017-18 up to November 2017.

The Minister further said that 5,11,662 deliveries have taken place in last three years adding while 1,94,632 deliveries took place in 2016-17, 1,91,151 in 2015-16 and 1,25,879 deliveries took place in 2017-18 up to November 2017.

The Minister also noted that according to simple registration survey, infant mortality rate in Jammu and Kashmir was 51 in 2007 which declined to 24 in 2016, better than the national average of 34. He concluded saying special newborn care units have been sanctioned for all district hospitals under National Health Mission (NHM), out of which 20 are functional.