GUWAHATI, Nov 1 � Despite claims of reform in healthcare and social welfare by the government, Assam has one of the highest rates of infant mortality, with the State also not doing well in some other indicators.
As per the 15th issue of �Women and Men in India 2013� recently released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the total Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Assam in 2011 was 55. While the female IMR was 56, for male infants it was 55.
However, Assam has been successful in bringing down total IMR from as high as 74 in 2001. The female IMR in the State in 2001 was 80 and the male IMR was 69.
Among major States, Assam had the third highest rate of IMR, following Madhya Pradesh where it was 59 and Uttar Pradesh and Odisha with 57. It was lowest in Kerala with the State reporting an IMR of only 12.
Overall, across India the total IMR was 44 in 2011, with female IMR at 46 compared to the male IMR of 43.
The report also stated that prevalence of anaemia was highest in Assam in 2005-06. �Among the States, prevalence of anaemia was the highest in Assam and Jharkhand, both at 69.5 per cent, and it was the lowest in Kerala at 32.8 per cent,� the CSO publication said.
It said that the Maternal Mortality Ratio was 212 during 2007-09. Among the States, it was highest in Assam (390) followed by Uttar Pradesh (359) and Rajasthan (318).
The CSO report also said that the Under-Five Mortality Rate was the also high in Assam, along with some other States.