Karnataka Sees Marginal Drop in Infant Mortality Rate: SRS 2023

Quick Summary

• Karnataka’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) dropped from 15 in 2022 to 14 in 2023, as per the Sample Registration Survey (SRS), 2023.
• The state’s IMR has declined by 21 points since 2011, showing consistent annual progress since a peak of 25 in 2017.
• Rural areas report higher infant deaths compared to urban areas. Female infant mortality rates are also high-16 deaths per thousand live births in rural regions versus 14 in urban regions.
• Karnataka fares better than the national average, with India-wide IMR reducing from 26 in 2022 to a current average of 25. Over the past decade,India’s IMR declined substantially (from an overall rate of 40).
• Community-based and facility-based interventions,including hygiene measures and maternal education by ASHA workers,were cited as impactful efforts by health officials. Key challenges such as preterm birth complications and congenital anomalies persist.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The steady reduction of Karnataka’s IMR reflects progress driven by targeted healthcare initiatives like maternal education programs and improved community resources. With its IMR significantly lower than the national average, Karnataka demonstrates that lasting emphasis on local interventions can yield results even for entrenched public health challenges.

However, disparities between rural and urban areas pose ongoing concerns about equitable access to medical services for remote populations. Higher mortality rates among female infants further underline gender-related disparities requiring attention through cultural sensitization alongside healthcare improvements.

India’s broader decadal decline indicates concerted action nationally but highlights persisting vulnerabilities; one infant death out of every forty live births reiterates unmet systemic needs like addressing congenital anomalies and complications arising due to preterm births. Continued expansion into preventive healthcare approaches may hold promise for both state-level success stories like Karnataka’s becoming more widespread nationally and bridging persistent inequities more effectively.

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