LUCKNOW: If Gorakhpur were a country, it would have been among 20 nations with the highest infant mortality rate (IMR) in the world.Data from health department shows 62 out of 1,000 children born in Gorakhpur die before turning one. While India's under-5 mortality rate is 50, against UP's rate of 62, Gorakhpur's fairs badly with 76.Health commentator Aarti Dhar said, "The high IMR is because of factors like malnutrition, incomplete immunisation, open defecation and unsafe drinking water." Citing the fourth National family health survey figures, she said over 35% kids in Gorakhpur are underweight, while 42% are stunted. The district also lags on the immunisation front—one in three kids doesn't complete the mandatory immunisation cycle. Social activist Rajesh Mani said, "Children have died in Gorakhpur for years and there is no dearth of data to stress the dire need to save them."

Source: Times of India August 13, 2017 21:58 UTC