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Newborn mortality rate in SL almost same as US

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22 February 2018 08:05 am - 23     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The newborn mortality rate in Sri Lanka which is 5.3 is almost same as that in Kuwait and the US, which is 4, a latest report released by the UNICEF said on Tuesday.

The report titled ‘Every child alive: The urgent need to end newborn deaths’ said “In Kuwait and the US, both high-income countries, the newborn mortality rate is 4. This is only slightly better than lower-middle-income countries such as Sri Lanka and Ukraine, where the newborn mortality rate is 5.”

However, Sri Lanka’s rate is the most improved rate in the category of lower middle income countries. India’s newborn mortality rate is 25.4, Bangladesh’s 20.1 and in Bhutan it is 18.1.

“Children born in Pakistan face the worst odds as 46 out of every 1,000 babies born, die before the end of their first month. Babies born in Japan stand the best chance of surviving, with just 1 in 1,000 dying during the first 28 days,” the report said.

Explaining about the differences and similarities of mortality rates among countries, the report said a country’s income level was not an indicator of the rate.

It said 2.6 million babies die before turning one month every year and another 2.6 million are stillborn.

“Each of these deaths is a tragedy, especially because the vast majority are preventable. More than 80 per cent of newborn deaths are the result of premature birth, complications during labour, delivery and infections such as sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia. Similar causes, particularly complications during labour, account for a large share of stillbirths,” it said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)


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  Comments - 23

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  • abeyrohan Thursday, 22 February 2018 08:49 AM

    Great news. We must thank all governments from independence for improving health facilities in our country. And also we should commend our doctors for working hard to achieve these tasks.

    Shiran Thursday, 22 February 2018 09:18 AM

    This is very much true. Healthcare is one of the greatest things about Sri Lanka. It's not the best system in the world but we have done incredibly well with the limited resources (i..e money) we have.

    Sarath Thursday, 22 February 2018 09:35 AM

    Please don’t bring in the doctors,otherwise I will bring in the midwives.The credit should go to health administrators in the government.

    Dinesh Thursday, 22 February 2018 09:06 AM

    Well done Sri Lanka. Well done to everyone who made this possible and continues to work tirelessly in this regard. Now let's come together to ensure a just, safe and healthy environment for these children to grow up in.

    KD Thursday, 22 February 2018 09:17 AM

    Has the rate in Sri Lanka risen or decreased?

    Scooby Doo Thursday, 22 February 2018 09:17 AM

    Sounds great.

    Kumar Thursday, 22 February 2018 09:29 AM

    Even with so much problems Sri Lanka is beating India and Pakistan in some important measures.If Sri Lanka has had a brilliant political leader,which we never had,we could have built from the strong position we were in ,soon after the independence,and become an industrialised nation just like Japan or South Korea.

    bendunk Thursday, 22 February 2018 09:30 AM

    yes we have gripes against docs striking but we do have to commend the healthcare sector overall in SL - some aspects of this country are actually very good.

    Nilame Thursday, 22 February 2018 09:33 AM

    Must appreciate the efforts being carried out by the authorities to achieve these goals.

    yahiya Thursday, 22 February 2018 10:09 AM

    Countries best administration is Health

    Rohan Thursday, 22 February 2018 10:11 AM

    Dont forget that Ceylon had the best medical services in Asia. Although Cuba is financially poor country their health services are far superior to USA. Sri Lanka produces a surplus of doctors than it requires for the country. Sadly same doctors pave the way to bring Sri Lanakan health services in general to a far worse standard now.

    Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 22 February 2018 11:08 AM

    As long as an ambulance or rescue helicopter is not within 10 minutes after an emergency call at the scene, there is still much to do.

    Mendis Thursday, 22 February 2018 11:52 AM

    Mate,you live in a different planet.

    Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 22 February 2018 03:20 PM

    Dear Mendis. This is the reality in Germany.

    Sunil Thursday, 22 February 2018 11:32 AM

    The figure is very impressive and thanks are due to all who made this possible, but, there is a big difference between 4.0 and 5.3 when it comes to infant mortality.

    Neo Thursday, 22 February 2018 01:51 PM

    But talk to a JVP cadre and he will insist that this is a kalakanni rata while other countries are paradise on earth

    Dr. Neil Magedaragamage Thursday, 22 February 2018 02:33 PM

    I do not understand the logic to say that there is no difference between 4 and 5.3. However, I accept the fact that Sri Lanka's rate has improved tremendously but not matching 100% the US rate.

    Yan Thursday, 22 February 2018 02:53 PM

    So what??there are thousands and thousands of things in SL which are worse than Somalia.. so I don't see a point why they compare with the US..

    Liberal One Thursday, 22 February 2018 04:47 PM

    care to tell us one thing?

    Mubarak Thursday, 22 February 2018 03:11 PM

    This is National average rate. when you analysis regional desparaties some lagging regions are showing higher rate requiring much intervention and resources.

    Deepal Thursday, 22 February 2018 04:12 PM

    Rather than improving to the levels of Japan (1 in 1000) the government is hell bent on bringing ECTA to drag it down to 25.4 with Indian health professionals!

    Nuwan Thursday, 22 February 2018 04:57 PM

    This is the dedication of the doctors, nurses and midwives who work hard under severely under-resourced conditions. Many a time the experience that saves lives.

    Lasantha Thursday, 22 February 2018 05:14 PM

    More to do. One in every 189 births will die.


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