In what could be called a shocking revelation, as many as 158 infant deaths (from 0 to 5 years) have surfaced in the Cachar district from April to November 18 this year.
Definitions of IMR and MMR:
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): The number of infant deaths (children under one year of age) per 1,000 live births in a given year.
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): The number of maternal deaths (during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy) per 100,000 live births in a given year.
Comparison of IMR and MMR: Assam vs. India
| Indicator | Assam | India | Observation |
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) | 31.9 per 1,000 live births | 35.2 per 1,000 live births | Assam’s IMR is slightly better than the national average. |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) | 195 per 100,000 live births | 97 per 100,000 live births | Assam’s MMR is significantly higher than the national average, indicating room for improvement. |
Few Government Initiatives to Combat rising IMR and MMR
- Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Free antenatal care for early detection of high-risk pregnancies.
- LaQshya Program: Improving quality of care in labor rooms and maternity operation theaters.
- Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN): Assured free and respectful maternity and newborn healthcare services.
- Poshan Abhiyaan: Addressing malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
- Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK): Free delivery and neonatal care services in public health facilities.
