NHRC seeks report from Har on rising infant deaths in Karnal

The National Human Rights Commission today issued a notice to Haryana Government seeking a report over rising infant mortality rate in Karnal district of the state.
According to a statement released today, a notice in this regard has been issued to the Chief Secretary of Haryana government calling for a report within four weeks.
The development came after the Commission took suo motu cognisance of a media report quoting the Haryana State Health Department sources that infant mortality rate increased to around 50 from 44 for every 1000 births in Karnal district during 2013-2014.
Reportedly, 1692 infants died out of 34,000 infants born during the last fiscal. According to the newspaper report, carried on August 4, deficiency of iron and nutrition among pregnant women was one of the major reasons behind such deaths.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issue of violation of right to life and right to health of the newly born and their mothers.