State lags in reducing infant, maternal mortality rates

Among the South Indian states, Karnataka fares poorer in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates, while, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have performed much better, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. 

Addressing Asha workers on the occasion of ‘World Population Day’ here on Friday, Siddaramaiah said that when compared to the national average, the State had reduced both the mortality rates substantially.

The chief minister, on the occasion, called upon the Asha workers to strive to bring down the infant and maternal mortality rates in the State.

Promising additional funds to achieve the target, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka was the only State which provided matching grants sanctioned by the Centre to the states, under the National Rural Health Mission. As a result, Asha workers in Karnataka were paid well under the scheme compared to their counterparts in other states.

He said: “We are paying between Rs 2,150 and Rs 6,155 to Asha workers, whereas states like West Bengal, etc, pay around Rs 900.”

Citing insecurity among parents on their children’s longevity as the reason behind population explosion, the chief minister said: “People should have one or two children. It was the duty of the government to ensure that the younger generation was healthy. In order to achieve this, there was a need to strengthen the public health system.” 

Warning a bleak future if citizens failed to realise the dangers of population explosion, he said: “This was the day to warn people on the dangers of population explosion. India’s population was just 36 crore in 1951, which had presently increased to 125 crore.

The pace at which our population is increasing, we will turn 240 crore in the next 40 years. Do not forget that the geographical position, natural resources and our crop production may not increase any more. Population growth leads to over-exploitation of natural resources and takes away all the vitals of the nation,” he added.

He reminded the impending dangers of acute shortage of water, food, housing and clothing, if people do not realise perils of overpopulation.

 Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader said that the State would formulate a policy to provide health insurance to Asha workers. A few Asha workers were honoured with incentives for their services.