Indonesia's Nusatenggara has high infant mortality rate

The Regional Information and Study Centre (Patiro), expressed concern with the high infant mortality rate in East Nusatenggara (NTT), Indonesia's ANTARA news agency reported.

Head of Patiro, Yulius Hendra, quoting a research figure, said infant mortality rate in East Nusatenggara averaged eight percent, almost doubling the national infant death rate of 4.4 percent.

Indonesia may fail to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015 because of the high mortality rate in NTT, he said here on Friday.

Infant mortality rate is one of the factors to be considered in achieving the MDGs, he added.

He cited a number of causes for the high mortality rate including lack of health awareness of the people.

He said pregnant women choose to go to traditional midwives although health centres are already available in rural areas.

"The fault lies not only in the people but the government and in all of us, for not giving enough information," he said.

He said the main causes of the death of babies in NTT include infection, being born premature, bay weight being less than 2.5 kg and respiratory problem.

High infant mortality rates were recorded in 14 regencies/cities in NTT, thus it has a long way to go to achieve the MDGs target in 2015, Yulius said.