BAITADI, Oct 1: Infant mortality rate is increasing in Baitadi district. According to the District Health Office, 48 newborns died in Baitadi in the last fiscal year. According to chief of the office, Yogesh Prasad Bhat, the number of infant deaths has increased from 42 in fiscal year 2019/20 to 48 in the last fiscal year.

The highest number of infants i.e. 12 died in Purchaundi Municipality in the last fiscal year. Similarly, eight infants died in Melalui Municipality, six in Dasharathchanda Municipality and Surnaya Municipality, four in Patan Municipality and Shivnath Municipality, three in Sigas Municipality and Pancheshwar Municipality and two in Dogadakedar Municipality, according to the District Health Office, Baitadi.

“Although there are many reasons behind the high infant mortality rate, the main problem is child marriage,” said Bhatta. There are many complications when adolescent mothers give birth to a child. Despite the claims of various organizations working in the field of child marriage, it is still prevalent in the rural Nepali society. 

 
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