Patna, May 8 (UNI) Appreciating the improvement in the health infrastructure of Bihar, Health Minister Mangal Pandey said that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) was at par with the national average, whereas the Mother's Mortality Rate (MMR) national average will be attained by the year 2030.

Pandey told news persons here on Thursday that prior to 2010 , per thousand, 48 children

used to die during delivery in the state . Referring to the latest official report , the minister said that this has gone down to 27 in the current year, which was equal to the national average.

Speaking about MMR, he said that prior to 2005, 374 women out of every 1 lakh used to die during delivery in the state; now this figure has rapidly decreased to just 100. He said the national average of MMR is 93, and Bihar would attain the national average by 2030.

He said that Bihar ranks second in the country in terms of rapid improvement in the maternal and infant mortality rates.

The minister said that Bihar has made a lot of progress in health services, which was possible by building infrastructure for health services in the villages, remote areas, difficult terrains, villages surrounded by forests and areas affected by floods every year, along with the big cities in the state.

Appreciating the efforts of doctors, nurses and other health workers for improvement in the MMR and IMR, Pandey said that the improvement in the health services was a result of constant efforts of the state government.

UNI RS ARN