International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Infant mortality rates (IMR) and maternal mortality rates (MMR) continue to be "areas of concern" in India, it has been claimed.

Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "In spite of the achievements made so far there are still areas of concern. The pace of decline in various key health indicators like IMR, MMR, Total Fertility Rate and death and morbidity due to communicable diseases has not improved," reports the Hindu.

He said achievements have been made under the National Rural Health Mission, to address leading causes of death and illness in the country, however, he added more needs to be improved.

Mr Azad said the government in the country was planning to make changes to the mission in the coming months, reports the news provider.

He was speaking at the State Health Ministers' Conference, which aims to address issues such as infant and maternal death rates and the prevention and control of infectious diseases, among other topics.

Recently, Dr RT Porkai Pandian said Tamil Nadu state has a "long way to go" if it is to significantly reduce the infant and maternal mortality rates.

Posted by Martine Ward