Irene Lôbo
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília – The coordinator of the National Pact for Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Rates (Pacto Nacional pela Redução da Mortalidade Materna e Neonatal), Adson França, says there is reason to commemorate the latest figures released by the government. He says that if the downward trend continues, Brazil will achieve the Millennium Goal of reducing maternal and infant mortality rates by 75% by the year 2015.

The latest report on maternal and infant mortality in Brazil shows that the country's short-term goal of reducing the rates by 15% by the end of 2006 are on track.

Translation: Allen Bennett