Ranchi, Sept. 27: Experts at the Fourth National Congress on Paediatric Critical Care expressed concern over the high infant mortality rate in the country despite the advancement in medicine. According to figures, 72 out of 1,000 children die before celebrating their first birthday. Of them, 50 per cent die within a month of their birth.

Chief minister Babulal Marandi, who was supposed to inaugurate the workshop today, could not make it to the venue. “We have made great advancements in medical science. Yet the tertiary level treatment (involving diseases which need special care) is not up to the mark. There is a huge gap between the doctor and the technology. As a result, newborns are not getting the kind of specialised treatment that they should,” said Soonu Udani, chairperson of the Intensive Care Chapter of Indian Academy of Paediatrics.

Udani said the aim of the seminar is to spread awareness about the latest technology in the field of paediatrics so that the lives of a number of children could be saved.

Over 300 doctors from different parts of the country are attending the three-day congress. The 20-member faculty comprises renowned paediatricians from India and countries like the US, Australia, Switzerland and Great Britain.

Three workshops were held as part of the programme today.