Simple health problems kill 1.2 mn infants in India

Bangalore, Nov 21: As many as 1.2 million new-born babies die within a month due to lack of proper care and access to medical facility, Dr N Karthik Nagesh, renowned neonatologist, and Director (Paeditric Research), Manipal Hospital, said today.

Addressing a press conference here he said of these deaths, 70 per cent occurred in rural areas.

Dr Karthik, who had taken an initiative to provide care and economic support had floated a trust called 'Foundation for Newborns' for the benefit of economically weak parents facing neonate problems. The trust would also give focus to sensitive the public about need for comprehensive newborn care.

He said that every year over 26 million infants were born in India and 1.2 million babies lost their lives after developing minor health problems, which could be prevented by taking simple measures.

Informing that among the total death of neonate children across the world, 25 per cent occurred in India and it could be drastically reduced by helping pediatrician and nurses to develop skills to take adequate care of the neonate at birth.

Dr Karthik said that Foundation would work towards providing counselling, follow-up medical care, special education and other relevant medical or paramedical supports of the needy.

Several donor organisations including those from abroad had come forward to lend a helping hand. A US based organisation had come forward to supply certain medical equipments, including ventilators.

Replying to a question Dr Karthik said that the foundation would float a 'corpus fund' to help children from underprivileged section of the society. Corporate houses had also shown keen interest in extending help, he said.

UNI