June 25, 200719 yr TOO MANY LIVES CUT SHORT There is growing concern over the country's high infant mortality rate Bangkok Post "The bodies of 47 babies lay lined up in a row in two coffins at Wat Apaitayaram, their small, lifeless corpses awaiting collective cremation in a ceremony held quietly, with only a few mourners there to say their goodbyes. Such scenes are becoming alarmingly common, with infant mortality rates a growing concern in Thailand. Most of the babies are victims of severe physical disorders and diseases resulting from unhealthy pregnancies. According to official figures, some 55 young babies die each day, or around 20,000 a year, due to medical complications _ a large enough figure to have the government concerned. The recent figures were unveiled by the Public Health Ministry during the funeral service for the babies to mark the end of their short lives at the temple opposite the Rajavithi Hospital. All of the young infants died at Rajavithi Hospital, said Prasopchai Panada, secretary general for the Pathology Support Foundation under the ministry's Department of Medical Services. ''Some were those belonging to unwanted pregnancies among teenagers. They were often born unhealthy and died,'' he said... ....The foundation has held these funerals since 1974. In the past it normally held the funerals on important days such as the Songkran festival because most Thais prefer to make merit on auspicious occasions and dates. However, as the number of deaths has increased, the foundation now holds the funerals more often, Mr Prasopchai said. It now holds funerals for up to 50 babies at a time every four months." Full article http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/25Jun2007_news09.php
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