Hospital Births Saving Babies in China, Study Says

Dear Editor:

In the article Hospital Births Saving Babies in China, Study Says (San Jose Mercury 9/17/11), China's newborn deaths have decreased. Although newborn deaths have decreased by 62% in the past 12 years, China now needs to focus on post-natal care to decrease their infant mortality rate. According to CIA World book, China’s infant mortality rate, the amount of infant deaths within a year, is still 16.6 per 1000 deaths. Even though more babies are born per year, they are not staying alive. More clinics should be opened, especially in the rural areas, to educate parents on post natal care as well as offer services, such as vaccinations. Since clinics are cheaper to open and maintain than hospitals, they are more accessible to families both geographically and financially. China should be congratulated for significantly decreasing their newborn mortality rate, but should now focus on post-natal mortality.

Sincerely,
Cindy Lau