St. Vincent and the Grenadines has recorded a significant reduction in cases of neonatal mortality.
A neonatal death is defined as a death during the first 28 days of life.
During his contribution to the debate on the 2016 National Budget in parliament on Wednesday, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Hon. Luke Browne said the neonatal mortality rate plummeted from more than 18 deaths per 1000 live births in 2011 to just 8 deaths per 1000 live births in 2012.
Minister Browne said notable reductions were also recorded between the period 2013 to 2015, and he attributed this achievement to a systematic strengthening of the neonatal programme at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and at health centers throughout the country.
Minister Browne further stated that this country recorded zero maternal deaths in 2015.
