Speaking at a workshop on NRHM organised by health and family welfare department and Mysore district journalists’ association (MDJA) here on Saturday, he said the responsibility of the health department was to control the spread of epidemics but malaria is under control in Dakshina Kannada whereas diseases such as diabetes are increasing among people.

NRHM has made tremendous progress in the last five years. Mother, child mortality rates and people living below poverty line is a measure for progress of a country. Based on the health index, the state has included Bellary, Bidar, Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, Davangere, Kolar and Raichur in the highly-focussed districts. Several health programmes
have also been introduced in these districts.

About 38 per cent of the population in the state is living in urban areas. But health services is weaker in urban areas than in the countryside. Under NRHM, doctors and other staff have been recruited on contract basis. Slums in cities are increasing, but there is a shortage of health services.

The country has witnessed 50 per cent infant mortality rate. But, it is 41 per cent in Karnataka. The male-female ratio stands at 943 in the state, which shows that female foeticide is still prevalent. He said NRHM is providing financial assistance to women, who deliver at hospitals. MDJA president C K Mahendra, zilla panchayat CEO G Satyavathi, and information department deputy director Prakash were present.