AMN
India has registered a significant decline of eight percent in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in 2016. According to the just released Sample Registration Bulletin (SRS), IMR has declined by three points from 37 per 1000 live births in 2015 to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016.
The country has also recorded a major drop in birth cohort, which has for the first time come down to below 25 million. The total number of estimated infant deaths have come down to 8.4 lakhs in 2016.
The SRS Bulletin says the gender gap in India for child survival is reducing steadily. The gender difference between female and male IMR has now reduced to below ten percent, giving a major boost to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.
The results signify that the strategic approach of Health Ministry has started yielding dividends and the efforts of focusing on low performing States is paying off.