The Public Health department announced yesterday that there has been a reduction in mortality among women giving birth and newborn babies. Doctor Manuel Tejada Beato told Hoy that in 1999, 260 mothers died in childbirth. So far this year, only 54 women have died. Infant deaths have gone from 37 per 1000 live births, down to 34 deaths per 1000. Tejada told Hoy that this shows the level of service at public hospitals is not being affected by work stoppages and controversies.
