Infant mortality rate in the country is said to be at its lowest in almost two decades.
This according to findings in a survey report by Institute of Race Relations, a think tank that informs national economic and development policy processes. The infant mortality rate measures the number of deaths of infants under one year per 1 000 live births. The report states that the drop is at its lowest in almost two decades, having fallen by 32 per cent between 2002 and 2017.
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The improvement is attributed to a sharp increase in the rate of first antenatal visits to clinics by pregnant women. Institute analyst Tawanda Makombo linked the drop to a 96 per cent improvement in the rate of first antenatal visits since 2006. This rate measures the proportion of pregnant women who visit antenatal clinics for the first time before 20 weeks of their pregnancy compared to the number of women who had at least one antenatal visit before delivery.
The statement further notes that between 2002 and 2017, the infant mortality rate decreased from 48,1 per 1 000 live births to 32,8 per 1 000 live births while the rate of antenatal first visits increased by 96 per cent between 2006 and 2016, from 31,3 per cent to 61,2 per cent.
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Makombo attributed this to substantial improvements in the country’s health services but warned that more can still be done for further improvement such as intensified public awareness and persuading more pregnant women to visit health facilities for regular check-ups before and after giving birth.
Details: Institute of Race Relations, Kelebogile Leepile 011 482 7221.
