Institutional delivery registers record growth in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The institutional delivery rate has registered a record growth of 50.4 percent in Odisha during the last 10 years.

According to the Odisha health department, while only 35 per cent babies were born in hospitals and medical institutes during 2005-2006, it is 85.4 per cent during 2015-16.

The statistic is based on the recently released National Family Health Survey- 4 report, said the department.

Health department officials said that of the total institutional deliveries, government hospitals account for 75.7 per cent. The rise in the institutional delivery percentage in tribal areas is more encouraging.

From 43.10 per cent in 2014-15 it has increased to 77.07 per cent by November end 2016-17, said the report.

The rise in number of babies being born in institutions is heartening for the government especially in ensuring proper healthcare of mother and child and in reducing MMR and CMR.

Health officials said that since 2005, as many as 52.77 lakh pregnant women have given birth in government hospitals and they have been provided financial benefits of Janani Surakhsya scheme too.

Meanwhile, officials said the government has planned to spend Rs 211 crore in 15 districts where MMR and CMR is high compared to the other districts.