Nagpur: State Health Minister Dr Deepak Sawant informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that six new Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) will be started in next six months to decrease the Infant mortality rate (IMR).  

Sawant also said that in the surprise inspection of over 37,000 hospitals across the state, 81 doctors were found to be bogus.

He said two more SNCUs at Nashik and Amravati will be started.

In response to a calling attention motion by Ajit Pawar, Sawant said the IMR this year has reduced by two points and is now 19.

Currently, the state has 36 SNCUs and the infant deaths are reducing considerably.

From 12 per cent this rate has reduced to eight per cent until October-end.

The number of beds at the SNCU have increased to 380 along with new recruitment of doctors.

Also, doctors selected for hilly regions will now have a different allowance.