A strategy to improve Maternal and Child care with focus on prevention of morbidity and mortality among new borns

Message from the Chief Minister

I am very happy to know that the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Orissa with active cooperation of UNICEF is bringing out Navajyoti; the new strategy document for the reduction of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the state of Orissa.

IMR is the single most important social development indicator of any country. It is extremely reassuring that the relentless efforts of our government has had significant impact on the reduction of IMR from 98/1000 live births in 1998 to 87/1000 live births in 2002. What continues to be disturbing, however, is the fact that Orissa still remains the state with the highest IMR in India.

"Navajyoti" literally meaning "new light" therefore comes at an opportune moment. In a well thought out manner, the document articulates the strategies to address IMR by means of providing meaningful insights into the weak links of our earlier interventions along with a holistic approach to reach all our critical partners, especially the community; co-crusaders in our endeavor to reduce IMR.

With Navajyoti comes a new ray hope for all our children!

I extend my best wishes for the successful implementation of the new strategy.

(Naveen Patnaik)