5,583 babies die every month

BANDUNG: As many as 5,583 babies die at birth and 350 mothers die in labor every month in West Java, said governor R. Nuriana, Thursday.

"The situation is deplorable and tarnishes West Java's image in Indonesia and abroad," Nuriana said as he accepted basic health service equipment donated by business tycoon Sudwikadmono.

The high mortality rates are a direct result of the poor health, education and economic status of the mothers, particularly those from villages, Antara reported yesterday.

To address the problem, the provincial government has introduced a minimum age for marriage and has distributed family health information to women.

The government has also placed 4,677 midwives in villages across the province, Nuriana said.

In the last year, West Java opened 119 health posts to provide basic services, such as immunization and information on nutrition for mothers. (pan)