KHUAJND, August 6, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Over the first six months of this year, the infant mortality rate has increased in the northern Sughd province, according to the Sughd health directorate.

554 infant deaths have been reported in the province over the report period, which is 45 cases more than in the same period of last year.    

Over the same six-month period, 24,590 babies have been born in northern Tajikistan, which is 1,355 more than in the same period of 2007.