Tripura brings down infant mortality

AGARTALA, March 14: The infant morality rate in Tripura is comparatively low compared to the national average. Official data show that the figure in the State stands at less than 45 per thousand while the national rate is 68 per thousand. This includes one-third of new-born babies (neo natals of day one to day 28) at the national as well as the State level. The infant mortality rate in the State is expected to dip further in the future. The doctors and para-medicos in the State are being imparted extensive training on health care and treatment of new born and infants. Special workshops are also being organised all over the State for this purpose by the National Neo-natology Forum (NNF). The NNF completed a two-day workshop and training programme on infant health care for about 50 doctors in the IGM hospital today. The participants were 25 doctors from various hospitals and PHCs located at semi-urban rural areas. "The programme is sponsored by World Health Organisation and Government of India. About 50 NNF doctors are travelling throughout the country imparting the training to the health officers and staff in 60 districts," said Rajkumar Koyal, regional co-ordinator of NNF. The three-year programme started in January. The main idea is to first train the doctors and then para medicos, nurse and other health employees from urban, semi-urban and rural areas on infant child care and treatment in special situations. In Tripura, the national convenor of the NNF, Arvind Saili, of Kalawati Saran children's hospital, Delhi, NMA Faridi of University College of Medical Science, Delhi and Rajkumar Kiral imparted training to the medical officers. They were assisted by CM Chhajer, local coordinator of the NNF.