14 July 2003 08:21
Birth rate in Chechnya regains pre-conflict level
Groznyy, 14 July: The birth rate in Russia's restive republic of Chechnya has reached the pre-war level, the
Chechen Health Ministry reported today. A total of 1,548 children were born in Chechnya in the first six months of the
year.
According to ministry sources, the increase in the birth rate comes as a result of an improvement in living
conditions of the population. However, medics are still concerned by the persistent high mortality rate and pathology of
newly-born children. [passage omitted]
Medics explain it by the effects of military action, a grave ecological situation and a poorly developed medical
base.
Illegal oil refineries are a matter of particular concern for medics. Hundreds and thousands of refineries harm the
ecological situation, as well as directly influence the health of the population, first of all that of pregnant
women.
More than 6,000 disabled children are registered in Chechnya at present.
[ITAR-TASS news agency] |
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