Cuba claims Latin America's lowest infant mortality rate

[Judi Lynn]

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

Cuba claims Latin America's lowest infant mortality rate

1/3/2005

HAVANA, Jan 3 (AFP) - Cuba's infant mortality rate has fallen to less than six deaths per thousand babies born, the lowest in Latin America, according to government figures.

The figure of 5.8 deaths per thousand contrasts with the 37.3 per thousand infant deaths when Cuban leader Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, official newspaper Granma reported Monday.

In the last 12 months, 127,062 births were registered on the communist island. Some 735 infants died largely due to perinatal infection and congenital defects, according to the report.

Cuba puts strong emphasis on health and education. Its low infant mortality rate compares to eight percent in Costa Rica and Chile, according to UNICEF figures.
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http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?ID=35572