KHOROG, November 5, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Compared to January-September 2007 the mortality rate for children under one year of age has decreased in Gorno Badakhshan, however the situation is till alarm, the GBAO health directorate head Shodi Jamshedov remarked at a press conference in Khorog on November 4.  

According to him, 29 babies under one year of age have died in the region over the first nine months of this year, which is three cases fewer than in the same period of last year.  “In the meantime, the mortality rate for children under five years of age has increased over the report period by two cases,” Jamshedov said, noting that the main reasons for death of babies were birth injuries and acute respiratory diseases.   

“The other factor contributing to increase in the infant mortality rate is home delivery,” said he.  “611 cases of home delivery have been registered in the region since the beginning of this year and three women in childbirth have died during home deliveries over the report period.” 

Meanwhile, birth rate has increased in the region.  Over the first nine months of this year, 3,334 babies have been born in the region, which is 100 babies more than in the same period of last year, Jamshedov said.