Turkey's PM opens health institutions in Ankara

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the baby mortality rate was 2.85 percent in 2007.

"This rate dropped to 1.3 percent today," Erdogan said during inauguration ceremony of health institutions in Ankara.

Erdogan said the rate of vaccination was up to 96 from 78 percent, and the measles cases were down to 5 from 7,810 between 2002 and 2009.

The premier said malaria cases were also down to 39 in 2009. They were 10,224 in 2002.

"Measures we have taken have been effective in this decline," Erdogan said.

Erdogan also said the government had launched free cancer scanning services in 81 provinces, and merged public hospitals under a single roof.

"Thus, 35 million members of the Social Security Agency (SSK) can be treated at public hospitals," he said.

Erdogan also said the rate of contentment from health services rose to 62.5 percent from 39.5 percent between 2002 and 2009.


/World Bulletin/