Minister claims Tamil Nadu tops in health indicators

“Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission implemented by TANSACS is working towards the goal of total zero transmission of HIV from infected mother to the new born. The HIV prevalence in the state is 0.25 per cent lower than the national average of 0.29 per cent,” the Minister said. 

“The Infant Mortality Rate had come down to 19 per thousand births whereas the national average hovers at 37 per thousand births. Maternal Mortality Rate has dipped to 62 per lakh live births when compared to 2010 - 2012 figures of 90 per lakh live births, whereas the present national average is 167 per lakh live births.” 

As for the 108 services, the Minister said that they are migrating to a new system, wherein a caller using an Android phone will be identified with the location of the accident when the call is answered and the vehicle from the nearest location will be deployed based on the ‘GPS’ fitted in the vehicles. 

Stating that an Amma Radio Service planned in the state will promote health education messages, Health Minister Vijaya Baskar said that stress will be laid on maternal and child health, immunisation, control of Non-Communicable Diseases and the need to follow a healthy lifestyle. Director of Public Health Dr Kolandaisamy said, “It is essentially to keep people aware of the need to maintain hygiene and the dos and don’ts to ensure a positive health behaviour. There are three factors responsible for diseases – the environment, the disease-causing agent, and people’s behaviour. We will get a positive result only if we manage to change the people’s behaviour. A radio service is the cheapest and the best medium as it can help reach a wider population.”