Times of India
30 June 2011
Chennai,India

Every time the paramedical staff on ambulances ferry newborn babies, they would tell their superiors that they need better facilities warmers, incubators and tiny oxygen masks. Starting Wednesday, ‘108’ staff will use two new ambulances, specially designed for babies less than a month old. The ambulances are equipped to prevent hypoxia, hypothermia and infection which most babies are prone to, said Adeline Divya Israel, a neonatalistfor 108.

The state health department and GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute along with the Institute of Child Health and National Rural Health Mission launched these ambulances to handle emergency situationsfor babies.Health minister V. S Vijay emphasized that the state had to urgently bring down the infant mortality rate from 28 deaths per 1000 to 20 by 2012. “We are doing better than the national average.Butwehavetolower it down further. These ambulances willhelp to achievethis,” hesaid.

The sample registration system (SRS) releasedby the registrar general of India showsthatthe number infant deaths have dropped from 53/1000 live births in 2008 to 50/1000 live births in 2009. Tamil Nadu has managed to bring down deaths from 31 to 28/1000 live births but smaller states like Goa (10/1000),Manipur (16) andPondicherry (22) have done better. According to the directorate of public health, at least98%of women in thestatedeliver in hospitals.

Yet 15% of infant deaths happen on thefirstdayof birth.Nearly 40% of the infant deaths happen in government hospitals. These ambulanceswouldbeusedtotransportchildren from a small hospital to a territory care centre in case of emergency. These ambulances will also ferry children from home as29%deathshappen at home. To meet the high demand, every district in TN will have one such ambulancein the nextfew months.

Saving Newborns

• According to sample registration system (SRS), the number of infant deaths in India was 50/1000 live births in 2009
• In TN, infant deaths was 28/1000 live births in 2009
• At least 98% of women in the state deliver in hospitals. 15% of infant deaths happen on first day
• 40% of deaths happen in government hospitals, 29% at home and nearly 38% in the first one week
• Smaller states like Goa, Manipur, Kerala and Pondicherry have done better
• TN aims bring down IMR to 20/1000 live births by 2012