KHOROG, July 15, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Compared to January-June 2009, the number of maternal and infant deaths in Gorno Badakhshan has nearly doubled over the first six months of this year, Shoabdurahim Mamadkarimov, the deputy head of the GBAO health directorate, announced at a news conference in Khorog on July 14.

According to him, two cases of maternal death, 18 cases of stillbirth, 18 cases of perinatal mortality (deaths between the foetal viability (22 weeks gestation) and the end of the 7th day after delivery), 23 cases of postneonatal mortality (deaths after 28 days of life but before one year), and eight cases of child mortality (deaths within the first five years after birth) have been registered in local medical facilities of Gorno Badakhshan over the report period.

Besides, 204 cases of artificial interruption of pregnancy have been registered in the region over the same six-month period, which is 80 cases more than in the same period last year.

Mamadkarimov noted that most maternal and infant death cases had been reported among female labor migrants who had returned to homeland especially for childbirth.  “The major causes of maternal and infant deaths among this group are infectious diseases, including flu and respiratory disease, as well as craniocerebral injuries,” he said, adding that quality of medical services in maternity houses and delivery rooms of hospitals in the region also leaves much to be desired.