Kerala Achieves Historic Low IMR

Summary of Kerala's Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) Achievement

Key Facts and Figures:

• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Kerala (2023): 5 per 1,000 births (lowest in India).
• National Average IMR: 25 per 1,000 births.
• Comparison with USA: Kerala's IMR is lower than the USA's 5.6.
• Historical Context: IMR in Kerala was 12 a decade ago; it first reached single-digit levels (7) in 2018.

Government Initiatives and Schemes:

1. Hridayam Scheme:

   • Focus: Treatment for heart-related diseases in children (0-18 years).
   • Achievements: 8,000 heart surgeries performed since 2017.
   • Screening conducted at hospitals, homes, Anganwadis, and schools.

2. Kerala Against Rare Diseases (KARE):

   • Launched: 2024 (Budget: ₹250 crore).
   • Objective: Prevent and manage rare diseases through early detection and treatment.
   • Services: Free treatment for over 200 children with rare diseases.

3. Shalabham Project:

   • Aim: Screen for birth defects from birth up to 18 years.
   • Implementation: Regular screenings at immunization sites and schools.

Health Department Contributions:

• Community Health Workforce: ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers conduct regular health checks and home visits.
• Case Study - Attappadi: IMR reduced from 28.6 to 6.3 through targeted interventions for high-risk pregnancies.

Historical Context of Healthcare in Kerala:

• Historical measures date back to the 19th century when the Travancore government initiated financial aid for private clinics and started a vaccination department to combat smallpox.
• The legacy of public health initiatives continues to shape the Kerala model of healthcare.

Future Goals:

• Target: Achieve "zero preventable infant death" by investigating and mitigating near-death cases.

Health Sector Challenges:

• Emerging Issues: Diseases linked to lifestyle changes and migration of pregnant women from other states pose challenges to IMR reduction efforts.

Evidence-Based Policies:

• Kerala's health system leverages evidence-based policy-making alongside innovation to refine health interventions.

This success in reducing IMR is a result of decades of investment in social infrastructure and effective health system management. The collaborative approach and historical foundations play a crucial role in shaping Kerala's public health achievements, making it a model for other states.