India has highest preterm deaths: Report

"As per recent publication 'Born too soon: Global Action Report on preterm births', India has the highest number of preterm deaths. Out of an estimated annual 2.7 crore live births in India, 35 lakh babies are born preterm," Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said in a written reply.

"Out of these, 3.05 lakh babies die due to complication of preterm births," he said.

The Minister said several steps are being taken to reduce these cases which include the increase in release for child and reproductive health programme from Rs 898 crore to Rs 4,002 crore.

"Newborn care corners are being set up at all health facilities where deliveries take place," he said.

To another query on deaths related to measles, the Minister said, "Mortality due to measles has not increased. It has actually declined though relatively slowly during the period 2000 to 2010."

In reply to a question whether a study has revealed that Vitamin A deficiency continues to be a nutritional problem and coverage of Vitamin A supplementation has been poor, Azad said this was correct.

Asked if the Ministry was creating a separate post of ombudsman for monitoring clinical trials of new drugs, the Health Minister said, "There is no proposal to create a separate post for ombudsman for monitoring clinical trials of new drugs."