| ■ 1 Million African Newborns Die Yearly: Report | 06.11.27 |
| Each year in Africa, about 500,000 children die within 24 hours after being born and about 1.1 million die within a month of their birth, according to a report released Wednesday by international health groups. The report said that simple health measures -- such as tetanus immunization and malaria control, clean and safe childbirth with a skilled midwife, and breastfeeding support for mothers -- could save the lives of about 800,000 babies each year, Agence France Presse reported. Infant death rates are highest in countries scarred by conflict. Liberia had the highest infant mortality rate (66 deaths per 1,000 births), followed by Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. Just five countries, including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, account for 50 percent of all newborn deaths in Africa, the report said. Nigeria alone has more than 250,000 newborn deaths a year and is not making much progress in reducing that toll, Joy Lawn of Save the Children told AFP. Yahoo Healthday |