Gaighat, June 26 :

Two-thirds of infants die untimely due to the traditional system of caring for newborn babies in remote and rural areas.

Such was the conclusion drawn from a survey carried out in Rampur, Thoksila, Triveni, Towashree, Khanbu, and Limpatar areas of Udayapur district.

Lack of knowledge and expertise in proper care of newborns was one of the reasons behind untimely death of infants.

The survey has showed that as health problems were seen in 47 percent of infants having live birth, and such problems contribute to the high rate of infant mortality.

Thirty-seven percent of infants suffer from common cold and 32 per cent from dysentery, the survey revealed.

According to the survey, 10 per cent of villagers tend to use old blades while cutting the umbilical cord of newborns whereas the figure is 25 per cent in Limpatar VDC.

Around 18 per cent of people use knives for the purpose and 7 per cent use sickles.

Some 52 per cent use new blades while 11 percent use sutkeri samagri (delivery equipment), the survey showed.

Villagers said the practice of cutting the umbilical cord with sterilised equipment is increasing in the villages.

The health of infants is improving due to efforts by organizations working in the field of women’s and children’s health, the survey showed.