UNICEF: PROBABILITY OF DEATH OF WOMEN DURING PREGNANCY OR IS 9 TIMES HIGHER IN ARMENIA THAN IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

ArmInfo
2009-02-02 18:12:00

ArmInfo. According to the results of UNICEF’s State of the World’s
Children report for 2009, approximately 22 out of 1000 new-born babies
die before reaching the 1-year age. Furthermore, the report says that
80% of the death cases fall on the first 28 days of a baby’s life.

Representative of UNICEF Office in Yerevan Ms. Laylee Moshiri said
during the report presentation, Monday, the high-rate mortality could
have been avoided if the quality of medical service and care for new-
born babies had been raised. The authors of the report point out that
the mortality rate among women also causes concern. For instance,
in Armenia the probability of death of women during pregnancy or
aborning is 9 times higher than in developed countries. The report
stresses that the reason is the shortage of professional personnel and
up-to-date equipment, low availability of skilled assistance, as well
as women’s low awareness of the necessity of prenatal consultation.

To note, UNICEF provides support to the Armenian Health Ministry in
elaborating the National strategy on care for new-born babies.