Record of 442 child deaths reported in Thane district

Thane, July 28 (UNI) As many as 442 child deaths due to premature delivery and other diseases have been reported in the first quarter of 2006, according to health department report sent to Government of Maharashtra, from the predominantly tribal dominated Thane district.

Last year 408 deaths were reported during the same period. Reports available with the district headquarters stated that the deaths were also due to the weight of the children being less during birth. These complications were due to early marriages and short gap between deliveries of two children.

The report also said that maximum child deaths were from the Dahanu Taluka which was 92, followed by Sahapur (65), Wada (49), Jawhar (43) Palghar (44), Vikhramgad (41), Mokhada (34), Talasari (28), Bhiwandi (19), Vasaic (16) and Murbad 11.

Last year during the same period Sahapur topped the list with as many as 75 deaths.

The report also said that of the total deaths during the first quarter, 78 per cent, that is 345 children were in the age group of zero to one, and 97 in the age group between one to six.

Earlier during 1992-93, following large scale malnutrition deaths the government upgraded the medical facilities in the tribal region but the situation is no better now, the report revealed.

UNI XR MJ SHB DB1148