BENTONG: The Health Ministry will double its efforts to further reduce the mortality rate for infants from the present 28 per 100,000 population to below six within the next few years.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said its confidence was due to the fact that healthcare services had improved tremendously over the years.

“In the 1970s, the mortality rate among newborns is very high at between 300 and 400 per 100,000 population.

“Since achieving independence, the Government had initiated various measures and efforts to improve healthcare services for all.

“We will remain committed to provide quality and efficient healthcare for mother and child to achieve this target,” he said after opening the Janda Baik carnival near here recently.

Liow, who is the Bentong MP, said the lifespan for men had also increased to 72 years while it was 77 years for women.

He said during independence, the life expectancy was just 56 years for men and 58 for women, respectively.

“In addition, the Government have successfully addressed the spread of several infectious diseases such as malaria and leprosy as well as eradicate polio which causes deformity among newborns.

“Presently, malaria only infected certain outskirts areas and involved mostly foreigners,” he said, adding that the ministry would monitor the situation closely to prevent it from spreading to others.

Liow said it was the aim of the Government to ensure all its citizens led a healthy and productive life, free of any infectious and life-threatening diseases in line with the country’s growth and progress.

He opined that the country’s healthcare system was on par with developed nations and could be used as a role model by other developing countries.

“In fact, the United Nations World Health Organisation has acknowledged our achievements and commitment in dealing with infectious diseases and providing quality healthcare to our citizens through its published reports and statistics,” he said.

-The Star-