1,185 infants died in K-P before their first birthday in first quarter of 2016

Highest rate of infant mortality was reported from Mansehra

PESHAWAR: With around 1,185 infants having passed away in the province before their first birthday due to various reasons in the first quarter of 2016, medical experts have called on officials in the health ministry to up their game and strive towards saving the lives of children.

“Majority of these children died due to diarrhoea and measles and the ratio is around 70 deaths per 1,000 live births,” stressed Pakistan Paediatric Association K-P President Professor Dr Amin Jan Gandapur. “This is something really serious.”

He said since these practitioners are dealing with children, they are not only concerned, but also felt sorry about the rising number of cases. The association head was also upset over the approach of authorities concerned to reduce the number of deaths. He added 1,185 was the official figure, but the actual number was unknown.

“I think immunisation, encouraging breastfeeding, providing clean drinking water and neonatal care were a few sources which can reduce infant mortality rate,” Gandapur told The Express Tribune.

Health experts, specifically pediatricians, have always raised their voice to fully immunise children so that they can be protected against several diseases posing threats to their lives.

The paediatricians have been constantly pointing towards the rising number of child deaths or infant mortality. According to health experts, the increasing number of deaths has always been a great challenge for authorities.

A district health information system report, in its data compiled for the first three months of 2016, states at least 77,220 pregnant women were newly registered by lady health workers and 47,823 deliveries were conducted by skilled persons.

The data, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, states that 1,185 children died and could not celebrate their first birthday due to several reasons, including birth asphyxia, pneumonia, term birth complications, diarrhoea, malaria, measles and malnutrition.

According to the data, the highest number of infant deaths was reported from Mansehra district, where, according to lady health workers, at least 4,863 pregnant women were newly registered, 3,286 deliveries were conducted and 155 infants died before celebrating their first birthday.

Mansehra was followed by Mardan district where 6,627 deliveries were conducted by skilled persons and 152 infants died. This was followed by Abbottabad with 143 deaths, Swabi with 129 and Swat with 107 infants’ deaths. At least 75 infants died during 3,547 deliveries conducted by skilled persons in the provincial metropolis.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2016.