Lowest Infant Mortality Rate in Sancti Spiritus

This was informed to Escambray by Dr. Maria Elena Silverio Rodríguez, head of the Mother-Child Attention Program (PAMI) in this province. This result evidences both the consolidation and constancy of such program taking into consideration that the lowest rates had been reported here in 2001 and 2004, she added.

Dr. Silverio highlighted the performance of services like neonatology, perinatology and intensive care units from the local Camilo Cienfuegos Regional Hospital. Respiratory and intensive services from the children hospital were also praised the latter being of upmost importance to handle the influenza A (H1N1) virus.

The medical specialist also mentioned the contribution of maternity homes and the rest of the primary care institutions, where, in her opinion, PAMI supporting actions are still perfectible

The reported mortality rate is favorably influenced by the new technologies introduced, particularly those in the genetics field.

17 deaths have been reported out of the 5 170 birth so far registered due, in most of the cases, to incompatible-with-life congenital defects, intraventricular hemorrhages and malignant diseases.

No maternal death was reported this year in this territory. Local municipalities of La Sierpe and Yaguajay are worth noting for having so far kept cero infant mortality in children aged under 12 months.

The doctor also emphasized the importance of the multi-disciplinary consultation to which every pregnant woman is submitted during the first trimester in order to evaluate the evolution of her gestation period. This procedure was first introduced in Sancti Spiritus and was later on extended to the rest of the country.

Since November this year, this sort of check up was implemented to be conducted in the second trimester of pregnancy in order to determine what to do in each case.