As per the news reports in September 2020, some 54 infants died in Baksa district of Assam in the months of April, May, and June 2020 despite a number of schemes, launched by the Central as well as the State Governments to check infant and maternal mortality rates. Besides these deaths, 11 maternal deaths also occurred in these three months in Baksa. As per official reports, the causes of the deaths include asphyxia, low birth weight, jaundice, and pneumonia. Since many of the deaths occurred at homes, most causes could not be verified. As per the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC), the infant death cases include districts Barama (3), Golagaon (7), Jalah (22), Mushalpur (6), Nizkaurbaha (10), Tamulpur (5), and SNCU (Special Newborn Care Unit) (1). The Health officials have been asked to take prompt action on the matter like creating awareness among the villagers and the weaker sections of the district.
Infant and Maternal Mortality in India
As per 2020 estimates, the infant mortality rate in India is 29.848 with a growth rate of -3.480 per cent. As for maternal mortality ratio (MMR), it saw a decline from 130 per 1 lakh live births in 2014-2016 to 122 per 1 lakh live births in 2015-2017. As per the latest Sample Registration System (SRS), a decline of 8 points was observed during that period.
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Baksa district was carved out of a part of Nalbari, Barpeta, Kamrup, and small portion of Darrang district. On February 10, 2003, historic BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) accord was signed, which formed BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District) with four districts, called Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri. Though the original word ‘Baksa’ is not above controversy, a good chunk of population prefer to use ‘Bagsa’ instead of ‘Baksa’. It was in fact one of the most important ‘Dooars’ (the gateway) of Bhutan.
Courtesy: Assam Tribune, macrotrends.net, theHindu.com, baksa.gov