Brasília, 6/23/2004 (Agência Brasil) - The Ministry of Health reports that it will release US$9.5 million (R$30 million) for programs to reduce infant mortality and assist pregnant women. The program will be concentrated in 78 municipalities with populations of over 100,000 where there are high levels of infant mortality and neonatal problems. According to the ministry, almost half of Brazil's population lives in those 78 areas.

Jorge Solla, the ministry official who oversees the programs (secretário de Atenção à Saúde), says that more examinations and doctor visits during pregnancies is the only way to reduce deaths of infants at birth. "We also need to raise the quality of medical assistance during puerperia. In Brazil many women simply do not return to healthcare units after giving birth," said Solla.

Solla also reports that the ministry will be giving the Family Health program beefed up funding in small municipalities (less than 30,000 inhabitants) with low Human Development Indexes (below 0.7). "We are going to increase financial aid to these areas by 50%, which will make it possible to attract and keep doctors, nurses and healthcare personnel there," explained Solla.

(Translator: Allen Bennett)