CAN WE REDUCE IMR AND MMR?
Two Days back, the newspapers in Odisha
State (India) had reported that even though
the IMR in the state has been reduced from 75 per 1000 in 2005 to 57 per 1000
in 2011. It is a matter of great concern. Similarly, the MMR in the state is
higher than the national average .i.e. 258 per 1000 in Odisha compared to 212
per 1000 at the National Level. Despite much
effort both by the Government and NGOs, there has not been significant
change. The suggested figures are much
higher in tribal areas of Odisha, The question comes whether the Nutrition
Programme is really reaching the target group or not? Also whether the
Anganwadi workers and Asha Karmis are playing the expected role or not? Whether
access to health care and infra-structure, safe drinking water, information and
basic food and livelihood is ensured or not has become a big question. All
these indicate that the state of Odisha is far from reaching the Million
Development Goals (MDGs).
It has always been suggested that to reduce the IMR and MMR
to a satisfactory level and achieve the distinction of reaching a target below
the National Figures, there is a need to identify HIGH RISK areas. There should
be a Mission
and try out the following:
1. Intensive
Mass Literacy Programme including Female Literacy
2. Prepare
more number of Barefoot Doctors and Volunteers
3. Operationalise
a Convergence Programme under a Collaborative framework under which the
Government, the NGOs and Civil Societies, the Private Sector, the Panchayati
Raj Institutions, the Doctors Associations, the Media etc. will build up a
front to achieve the goals.
4. Give
rewards to those villages and Panchayats who have minimised the IMR and MMR.
5. Express
a Political Will by all Political Parties
6. The
International Agencies like UNICEF, UNDP and the World Bank must act
proactively rather than produce glossy Reports.
7. Prepare
Innovative Programmes with Community Participation.
8. Publish
Citizen’s Reports to highlight why things are working or not.
9. Expand Health Infra-structure and change the
scenario of 8 Doctors and 4 beds per 100,000 populations.
10. Earmark special budget for the High Risk
Areas.
Please send your feed back to me and take the debate further.
