A strategy to improve Maternal and Child care with focus on prevention of morbidity and mortality among new borns

Message from the Chief Minister

I am very happy to know that the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Orissa with active cooperation of UNICEF is bringing out Navajyoti; the new strategy document for the reduction of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the state of Orissa.

IMR is the single most important social development indicator of any country. It is extremely reassuring that the relentless efforts of our government has had significant impact on the reduction of IMR from 98/1000 live births in 1998 to 87/1000 live births in 2002. What continues to be disturbing, however, is the fact that Orissa still remains the state with the highest IMR in India.