REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU - Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi said cases of stillbirth and the death rates of mother in the process of delivery are still high in the country. The high mortality rate is attributable to bleeding, mother being too young to give birth, and high frequency of giving birth, Nafsiah said here on Friday. 

In addition many childbirths took place at home instead of at hospital, she said. She said, quoting an official source, 228 mothers died against 100,000 lived in the process of giving births in 2007, and 34 babies died against 1,000 lived. 

In 2012, the condition improved with 102 mothers dying against 100,000 living and 23 babies dying against 1,000 living. Mothers being too old also contributed to the high death rate and to many babies born having physical defects, the minister said.

She called on leaders of the regional and district administrations to seriously address the matter and improve health care facilities. The minister also asked regional and district authorities to intensify call on newly wedded couples to have only two children. 

"Community and religious leaders play an important and determinant role in convincing people to join family planning plan," she said. 

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