Sizable Decrease Of Maternal,
Infant Mortality Registered In Russia

MOSCOW, November 18 (Itar-Tass) - A sizable decrease in maternal and infant mortality has been registered in Russia as of the beginning of this year, while the number of childbirths is the biggest now since 1992, Valentina Shirokova, the director of the Obstetric Aid Service at the Russian Ministry of Public Health told a news conference Tuesday.

A total of 1.2 million babies have been born in Russia as of January 1, and this is almost 100,000 babies more than in the same period a year ago, she said.

"The main thing today is to make medical aid to women and children accessible for the patients and to raise its quality," Shirokova said.

She cited some data on maternal mortality. While the reports for 2007 featured 22 deaths per each 100,000 births, the indicator reduced to 17.39 per 100,000 from January through September 2008.

In terms of infant mortality, Russia has 8.8 deaths per thousand infants born alive, Shirokova said, adding that the figure posted in 2007 was
9.4 infants per thousand newly born.

She offered to compare Russia's showings with those of Japan and Israel - 4.8 to 6.0 per thousand in the first case and 6.2 in the second.

"This is a level we should seek to attend," Shirokova said.

Childbirth certificates are gaining an ever bigger role as the factor of stimulating childbirth in Russia and the bonuses paid under the certificates will go up to 19,000 roubles by 2012, she said.

At this moment, the bonus stays at 11,000 roubles.