Date:18/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/18/stories/2008081850140100.htm

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Concern over high infant mortality rate in some districts

Ramya Kannan

CHENNAI: Even as the State averages an infant mortality rate (number of deaths per 1000 live births) of 37, well below the national average of 57, the recently released statistics from the Sample Registration Survey (SRS) show that there are pockets in Tamil Nadu where the IMR is as high as 54.

Public health experts have expressed concern about the patchy performance of the State in controlling infant deaths. High IMR in the north western and southern districts of the State going by the SRS data for the survey year 2006 has goaded the government into considering the introduction of certain special schemes for these pockets.

District-wise figures

District-level figures were provided for the first time by the SRS, which usually only provides statistics up to the State-level. Western districts, including some notorious for female infanticide and foeticide: Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, The Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Erode have an IMR of 54, close to the national average. In the southern districts of Dindigul, Theni, Madurai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari, the IMR is 52. Districts around Chennai including Tiruvallur, Vellore, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore and Tiruvannamalai are better at 32.

The best performers are in the east, including the delta districts: Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchi, Pudukottai and Karur with an IMR of 28, bringing down the State average.

“We are concerned about the high IMR in some districts. We are planning intensive campaigns in these areas. This will include IEC activities and infrastructure and staff upgradation at the PHCs in these specific districts,” V.K.Subburaj, Health Secretary told The Hindu.