Steps to reduce infant deaths in Orissa

The Hindu, 1st June, 2008
Bhubaneswar (PTI):
The Orissa government has appointed a group of volunteers named "yasodas" to ensure survival of newborns and their mothers. "They would educate women about the essential health care to newborns and proper sanitation for mothers and pregnant women," State Health and Family Welfare Minister Sanatan Bisi told PTI.
The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Mother Mortality Rate (MMR) are quite high in Orissa. The IMR in the state stood at 73 against the national ratio of 58 and the MMR was registered at 401 against the national average of 358.
"The decision to appoint the yasodas was taken after it was realised that the IMR and MMR could be reduced if neo-natal care is provided for a longer period," Bisi said. Officials said they have targetted to reduce IMR to 50 per 1,000 babies born and MMR to 250 per one lakh pregnant women by 2010.
The "yasodas" who would get a monthly remuneration of Rs 3000, would be on round-the-clock duty and would be available beside the newborn and mother for at least two days after childbirth. Already 12 yasodas each in Sambalpur and Angul districts and nine such volunteers in Jharsuguda district were pressed into service recently. Soon these volunteers would be appointed in Balasore, Keonjhar, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Kalahandi districts, State Health minister said.