Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi directs officials to improve Infant and Maternal Mortality Rate

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday directed senior officials of the Health and Family Welfare Department to take immediate measures in improving the state's Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR).

The Chief Minister expressed serious concerns over the state's IMR and MMR which was below the national average and directed the officials to work in coordination with the Social Welfare Department to supplement nutritional support to malnourished children and anaemic women, a release said.

"Focus must be on the char and tea garden areas. A survey must be conducted to find out the exact number of malnourished children and anaemic women in these areas. Proper interventions must be made to bring about an improvement in the IMR and MMR," he said during a review meeting held in Guwahati.

He also asked the officials to ensure supply of essential medicines free of cost at all government hospitals and dispensaries as there should not be any shortage of essential medicines at government health institutions.

Gogoi directed the officials to take immediate steps for restarting evening OPDs in government hospitals and for this the state government would provide necessary funds, the release said adding the Chief Minister instructed the officials to purchase equipment only after recruitment of technicians.

Gogoi also stressed on strictly adhering to the policy of rationalisation of doctors to ensure equitable distribution of doctors across the state, the release added.