Karnataka's infant mortality rate drops over 50% since 2010-12
Bengaluru: Karnataka has seen a significant improvement in infant health outcomes, with the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) dropping by more than 50 percent over the past decade.
IMR is the number of deaths of infants under the age of one per 1,000 live births. The IMR in the state has fallen two points from 17 in 2021 to 15 in 2022, according to the Sample Registration System bulletin, as cited by Deccan Herald on Thursday.
In Karnataka, the IMR has seen a 50.4 percent drop in 2020-22 compared to the previous decade, coming down to an average of 17.3 from 34.9 in 2010-12.
Both rural and urban areas in Karnataka have seen similar progress, with close to a 50% decline in infant mortality cases. Healthcare experts attribute this positive trend to advancements in healthcare infrastructure, better neonatal care, and improved institutional delivery rates.
Dr Rajath Athreya, lead neonatologist and senior consultant at a private hospital in Bengaluru, noted that both government and private facilities have contributed to this. “Over the past few years, institutional deliveries and safe delivery practices have gone up. Many government facilities have been upgraded, and Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) have been set up. Access to private facilities has improved in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, and vaccination coverage has also improved,” DH quoted him as saying.
Despite the progress, challenges such as premature births, infections, and congenital defects continue to persist. Athreya also highlighted the need to address regional disparities within the state, including improving human resources and infrastructure by replicating what has been done in districts and states that are doing better, and fully utilising available funds.
Meanwhile, neonatal mortality, or deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life, remains the most pressing concern. Dr Suman Rao, Head of the Department of Neonatology at a Bengaluru-based hospital, said that care given to newborn babies at birth needs to improve.
While India’s Neonatal Mortality Rate stood at 19 in both 2021 and 2022, Karnataka has marginally improved from 13 in 2021 to 12 in 2022.
“We need to improve administering antenatal corticosteroids for women with preterm pregnancies at the right time so babies have a better chance of survival. We are aiming to have at least one person in every birthing facility trained in basic newborn resuscitation,” DH quoted Dr Rao as saying.
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Man killed in flat ceiling plaster crash, wife and son hurt
Thane (PTI): A 45-year-old man was killed, and his wife and son were injured when a portion of plaster from the ceiling collapsed in their flat in a seven-storey building in Thane on Saturday, officials said.
Chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell, Yasin Tadvi, said the 16-year-old building is not listed in the "dangerous" category.
"The incident occurred in Karumdev Society at about 3 am. The plaster of the hall in a flat on the terrace floor suddenly fell while the occupants were asleep", he said.
Of the four people who were inside the room, two suffered minor injuries and were discharged after primary treatment, Tadvi stated.
The injured persons were identified as Arpita More (42), who suffered minor head injuries, and her son Arush More (16), who sustained injuries to both legs.
Manoj More (45), who sustained chest injuries, died during treatment at a private hospital.
