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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Australia add Steve Smith as replacement for Hazlewood in T20 World Cup squad
Pallekele (PTI): Senior Australia batter Steve Smith was on Monday approved as replacement for the injured pacer Josh Hazlewood, hours before his side's must-win T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka here.
Smith thus becomes the 15th member of the injury-hit Australia squad.
"Smith is named as a replacement for Hazlewood, who is now officially ruled out from participating in the tournament due to a calf injury. The team’s medical staff had hoped to have him fit in time to feature in the latter parts of the tournament but were unsuccessful," the ICC said in statement.
Smith had earlier been flown to Sri Lanka as cover for skipper Mitchell Marsh, who missed Australia's opening two matches due to a testicular injury.
The veteran batter trained with the squad on Sunday and is in contention to feature in the crucial clash.
Smith has not played a T20I since February last year but has been in good form in the format in domestic competitions.
In positive signs for the 2021 champions, Marsh too has returned to training. The skipper batted in the nets while also taking part in running and fielding drills on Sunday.
Australia’s World Cup campaign is hanging in the balance following their 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe, and they must beat Sri Lanka on Monday to avoid an early exit.
