Babies dying in Irian hamlets

MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: Yatambor, an isolated village in southern Irian Jaya, has an infant mortality rate of 650 for every 1,000 births, well above the province's average of 70.

Head of the Merauke Health Office Benjamin Simatupang said poor nutrition, rough terrain, its location and lack of access to medication combined to produce this alarmingly high figure, the Antara news agency reported.

A survey by the Pantai Kasuari district health office found that for every 1,000 births, 160 died in Maneo, 130 in Basim, 280 in Biopis, 450 in Omandesep and 650 in Yatambor. These are all isolated villages.

"One couple had to sail for a week to reach a health official but their baby died when they found one," Benjamin said.

Local health officials also have to navigate rivers and creeks to reach some of the villages. "Very often, when they arrive at their destinations, the villages were empty as the people had gone to the jungle in search of food." (emb)