Infant mortality rate (IMR) is a key indicator of a nation's health status. IMR is defined as the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. In India, the IMR varies significantly across states, with the southern state of Kerala having one of the lowest IMR in the country. In 2019, Kerala reported an IMR of 6 per 1,000 live births, which is far lower than the national average of 33 per 1,000 live births.
Factors Behind Kerala's Low Infant Mortality Rate
Kerala’s low infant mortality rate can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, the state has achieved near-universal access to healthcare, which is further supported by the availability of quality services. Kerala has a strong and well-functioning public health system that has been instrumental in reducing IMR over the years.
Secondly, Kerala has achieved impressive progress in terms of sanitation and nutrition. The state has the highest sanitation coverage in India, with nearly 100% of households having access to toilets. Additionally, better access to nutrition has also been instrumental in reducing IMR. For example, Kerala has the highest coverage of supplementary nutrition programmes in India.
Thirdly, the state has achieved near-universal immunization coverage, which has been effective in reducing infant deaths from preventable diseases. Kerala has been able to achieve this due to the effective implementation of the Universal Immunization Programme.
Fourthly, Kerala has a well-developed health workforce. The state has one of the highest number of doctors, nurses and midwives per 1,000 population in India. This has ensured that quality healthcare services are available to everyone, including mothers and infants.
Finally, Kerala has also been successful in reducing maternal mortality rate (MMR). The MMR of the state is far lower than the national average. This has enabled mothers to stay healthy during pregnancy and childbirth, thereby reducing the chances of infant mortality.
Health Initiatives of Kerala
The Kerala government has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce infant mortality rate. These include the Kudumbashree programme, which provides nutrition and health support to pregnant women and lactating mothers. Additionally, the state government has also implemented a programme called ‘Karunya’, which provides free medical care to pregnant women and new mothers.
The government has also implemented the ‘Niramaya’ initiative, which provides free medical treatment to infants aged below one year. In addition, the government also provides free baby kits to all newborns in the state. The kit includes essential items such as diapers, wipes, clothes and blankets.
Role of NGOs in Kerala's Low Infant Mortality Rate
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have played a key role in reducing infant mortality rate in Kerala. NGOs such as the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) and the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) have been instrumental in providing healthcare services to people in rural areas.
The KSSP has worked closely with the government to provide access to healthcare services in rural areas. It has established a network of primary health centres to provide quality healthcare services to people in the state. The JSA, on the other hand, has been working to raise awareness about health and nutrition among people in Kerala.
Conclusion
Kerala’s low infant mortality rate is a result of the state’s impressive progress in terms of healthcare, sanitation, nutrition and immunization. The state government has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce infant mortality rate. Additionally, NGOs have also played a key role in providing healthcare services to people in rural areas. All of these factors have contributed to Kerala’s low IMR.
