SHILLONG, Jan 25: Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has expressed concern over the high infant mortality rate or IMR in distant places of the state.
Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Lyngdoh said that there is still a need to look at some serious issues and there is a need to reduce the IMR
“We have somehow reduced maternal mortality rate (MMR) in distant places,” the minister said, while adding that she is continuously visiting PHCs and CHCs to take stock of the situation. According to Lyngdoh, in some blocks, only three maternal deaths have been recorded, while 114 infants have died. The basic problem here is convincing mothers to come for institutional deliveries and convincing them to accept immunisation to protect the lives of their children.
Maternal deaths, in terms of absolute numbers, have been brought down by 50% in Meghalaya.
In the year 2020-21, the total number of maternal deaths from April to November was 170, while the same was 81 during 2023-24. Infant deaths during the same period (2020-21) were 3,149. For this year, it is about 2,047, which translates to about 30% of reduction.
“I also feel that this issue needs to be dealt with aggressively . We have to partner a little more with all of our stakeholders. Breaking down messages is very important. We cannot send messages which are complicated and difficult for communities to comprehend,” the minister said.
Earlier, she added that the administration is far from distant places even though the government has created several blocks.
“Now, we have to motivate bureaucracy, government officials and we have to make sure that we penetrate directly to the last man standing in that last mile,” she added.
