Reducing child mortality rate a challenge

NEPALGUNJ, Aug 26: A statistics that 741 children and 88 nursing mothers lost their lives in Mid-western region last year has added new challenge in the government´s plan to reduce child and maternal mortality rates.



According to the Regional health Directorate, among 15 districts of the region, Banke had witnessed the highest mortality rate of children (227) and mother (23). [break]



However, there is no single incident of maternal mortality in Dang, Pyuthan, Dolpa and Humla districts in the region.



Nepal has set its target of reducing maternal mortality rate to 134 and child mortality rate to 33 in every 100,000 according to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).



Of the target, now Nepal has been able to slash maternal mortality to 281 and child mortality to 64, said the regional directorate.



The Directorate has brought into operation a plan to set up maternity centres and birthing centres in remote VDCs of Mid-western region under safe motherhood program with the region seeing high incidences of maternal and child mortality.

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