The ministry termed the development as a "significant decline" in the IMR. The total number of estimated infant deaths have come down from 9,30,000 (9.3 lakh) in 2015 to 8,40,000 (8.4 lakh) in 2016," the statement by the health ministry said. The results signify that the strategic approach of the ministry has started "yielding dividends" and the focus on low-performing states is paying off, the ministry said. Among the EAG (Empowered Action Group) states and Assam, all states, except Uttarakhand, have reported decline in IMR in comparison to 2015, it said. "There has been a decline of four points in Bihar, three points in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand and two points decline in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Rajasthan," it said.

Source: dna September 29, 2017 16:07 UTC