5,583 babies die every month

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)