As many as 151 infants have died in different hospitals between April and July last in the costal Kendrapada district.
While 22 neo-natal death cases of babies less than 28-days old were reported, 34 infant deaths were registered during April-July last.
During the period, 95 cases of babies dying during child birth in Government-run health institutions of the district were also reported.
The data clarifies that on an average of nearly 38 newborns were dying every month between April and July. In total 5,615 institutional deliveries were conducted during the period whereas 128 infants were born at home.
lack of proper health infrastructure of child and maternity care and vacancy of doctor posts are the main cause for rise in cases of neo-natal and infant deaths.
When contacted, CDMO Binayak Prusty stated the deaths were attributed to low birth weight, lack of pre- and post-natal care, premature delivery and absence of timely medical care during institutional deliveries.
As many as 11 posts of paediatric specialists have been lying vacant across the district. There are 130 sanctioned posts of doctors. However, as many as 54 posts are lying vacant, the CDMO said.