Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, 9th July 2015: The Punjab Government has achieved the two national Awards, one for safe deliveries and the other for reducing Infant Mortality Rate. These awards were given to the state during the National Summit on Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in Public Health Systems in india held at Shimla from 2nd July 2015 to 4th July 2015. The awards were received by Sh. Hussan Lal, Secretary Health cum Mission Director, National Health Mission, Punjab during the summit. He was accompanied by the officers of Department of Health & Family Welfare as well as National Health Mission, Punjab. The summit was attended by Principal Secretary’s (Health), Mission Director’s NHM and Director’s of Health Services of all the states and UT’s of the country. It is pertinent to mention that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the state has declined by 18 points i.e. 44 in 2005 to 26 in 2013 (as per SRS data). Neonatal mortality rate i.e. death of infants within one month of birth has come down by 12 points from 28 (2008) to 16 (2013).
Punjab has also recorded a landmark increase in institutional deliveries from 63.3% (in 2007-08) to 82.7% (in 2012-13) as per DLHS data. Institutional deliveries in government health institutions has increased five times (44,000 in 2008 to above 2 lac in 2013). Presently, institutional delivery in government hospitals are more than that in the private sector.
Sh. Hussan Lal attributed these awards to the hard work by the department under the able guidance and leadership of Chief Minister, S. Parkash Singh Badal; Health Minister Sh. Surjit Kumar Jyani and Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Ms. Vini Mahajan.
