There is evidence that Uganda is making progress toward the MDG 4 &5 targets by 2015 but this progress needs to be accelerated. Under- fi ve mortality rate declined from 152 per 1000 live births in 2000 to 137 in 2006 while the infant mortality rate declined by 76 from 88 per 1000 live births during the same period. Forty percent of infant deaths occur during the neonatal period amounting to 45,000 yearly. An equal number of babies are stillborn with no signs of life. Risk factors for neonatal deaths are also the major risk factors for maternal deaths. Meeting the MDG 4 targets will therefore require a strong focus on reducing neonatal deaths.
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