Srinagar, Jan 24: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an increase in institutional deliveries, soaring to an impressive 92 percent in hospitals, which is a positive health indicator.
As per the Economic Survey Report of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the institutional births have increased from 85.6 percent to 92.40 percent till 2022-23.
This notable accomplishment reflects a dedicated effort to improve maternal and child health, underscoring the positive impact of strategic healthcare initiatives in the region.
Assistant Professor New Children Hospital, GMC Srinagar, Dr Suhail Naik said institutional delivery is giving birth in medical institution under the care and supervision of trained health care providers which promotes newborn survival and reduces maternal mortality.
He said that the government of India has been focusing on 100 percent institutional deliveries which have less complications both maternal and new born complications.
“In case of institutional deliveries there are less complications. That is the reason why the government provides incentives to the mothers under different schemes,” Dr Naik said adding that the increase in institutional deliveries is a positive health indicator.
Maternal health continues to be an important indicator of well-being in the UT. Officials said the healthcare facilities provided to mothers to ensure their good health is central to qualitative development and high maternal deaths indicate the lack of accessibility to proper medical facilities and a wide gap between the rich and poor.
The report also said the percentage of fully immunized children against the vaccine-preventable diseases has increased to 96.5%.
The report also reveals that the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has reached to single digit of 9.8 per 1000 live births recording 13.3 points decrease, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has dipped down to 16.3 with decrease of 16.1 points and Sex Ratio at birth has recorded significant improvement from 923 to 976.
“The Life Expectancy at Birth in the UT has reached to 74.3 years, which is highest in the country after Kerala and Delhi, while as the national average is 70 years (SRS),” the report said.
Notably the report said UT of Jammu and Kashmir has moved forward from the category of performers to the category of front-runners as per the SDG India Index 2020-21 released by NITI Aayog as the score of Health Sector increased from 62 to 70.
Also Jammu and Kashmir has achieved the global target of reducing Under-5 mortality rate to at least 25 per 1000 live births by 2030 and 100 percent immunization for children in the age group of 9-11 months (fully immunized).
By 2030, the government will reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
