Guwahati: Nine out of every 10 births in Assam are now attended by skilled health personnel, and 87.6% of births in the state take place at healthcare institutions, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Monday. The Chief Minister praised the efforts of the state government and healthcare workers, citing encouraging trends from the recently released National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) data. He stated that these figures reflect growing trust in the state's healthcare system and continued progress in maternal and child care.
Key Findings from NFHS-6
According to the NFHS-6 data for the 2023-24 survey, a total of 90.7% of births in Assam were attended by skilled health personnel, which is almost on par with the national average of 91.3%. In the case of institutional births in Assam, the rate stands at 87.6%, compared to the national average of 90.6%.
"A stronger healthcare system is reflected in life's most important moments. Today, nearly 9 out of every 10 births in Assam are attended by skilled health personnel, while 87.6% take place in healthcare institutions, a sign of growing trust in our healthcare system and continued progress in maternal and child care," Sarma wrote on X.
Improvement Over the Years
Assam has shown consistent improvement in both indicators over the years. In NFHS-5 (2019-21), the percentage of institutional births in Assam was 84.1%, while births attended by skilled health personnel stood at 86.1%. The latest figures represent a significant leap, highlighting the effectiveness of healthcare initiatives.
Rural-Urban Divide
Despite the overall progress, a rural-urban divide persists. In urban areas, the survey recorded 95.4% institutional births, compared to 86.9% in rural areas. Similarly, 95.7% of births in urban areas are attended by skilled health personnel, against 90.2% in rural areas. This disparity underscores the need for targeted interventions in rural healthcare infrastructure and outreach programs.
The data also provides insights into other health indicators, such as vaccination coverage and nutrition levels, which are expected to guide future policy decisions. The state government remains committed to bridging the gap between rural and urban healthcare and ensuring that every mother and child receives quality care.
