By Abebech Tamene

ADDIS ABABA 

Ethiopia has significantly reduced child and maternal mortality rates over the last two decades, a Health Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

"Over 120 infant mortality cases had occurred in every 1000 live births in 1990," Assefa Ayde told Anadolu Agency. "But now, the country has managed to reduce the rate to 47."

Ayde said that the under-5 mortalities have also dropped from 140 cases in every 1,000 births to only 68 cases.

"Maternal death is now decreased to 420 from 1068 in1990 per 100,000 mothers," he added.

Ayde credited efforts to train and deploy 38,000 health workers to urban and rural areas for the drop in the child and maternal mortality rates in Ethiopia.

"The health extension workers provide pre- and post-natal care to expectant mothers both at health institutions and house-to-house," he said.

According to Ayde, the number of mothers giving birth at health institutions has grown due to continued consultations with health workers and the close relation between the community and the health workers.

"The health extension workers also contributed to improving infant and child feeding practices in Ethiopia and this helped lower infant and child mortality rates," he said.

"Formation of health development armies in all localities and increasing the number of midwives also contributed to the success registered," Ayde added.

According to Ayde, the number of midwives has grown to 7,000 at present from only 3,000 during the reported period.

He noted that the number of health stations in Ethiopia has also increased to 3,500 from only 700 and hospitals from 70 to 310 at present.

Ayde also cited the expansion of family planning services for preventing unwanted pregnancy, which is one of the factors causing the death of mothers.

"We have achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with regard to reducing child mortality three years before schedule and there is no doubt to meet the goals set for maternal mortality rate reduction," he said.

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