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Music and Art at the Ukrainian Institute of America
Posted by Natalia on September 20, 2005 at 10:03:58:
In Reply to: low birth rate posted by Mother Teresa's Lawyer on September 20, 2005 at 02:46:15:
: Ukraine has a pretty high infant mortality rate, I remember reading the figure somewhere on the web, but it's just a statistic, and doesn't covey the real meaning of what it's like to lose even one child. The hospitals here are in a shambles, the ones in cities better than more rural oblasts, which are an absolute nightmare, no wonder lots of people die there. I would like to commend the American volunteers and donors who put in place the only CAT scan in Crimea and even took the time and trouble to train the staff. People in the West who get involved here especially in medicine have made a HUGE difference here, but there's a long, long, way to go. A low birth rate is also caused by the poor economy here, most young people of child bearing age here are barely surviving on their own, and it'd be hard to support children as well. The government had issued a stipend for people to promote their having children, but then changed their mind and instead of cash give some old clothes and baby formula.
: I beg to disagree with you in reference to governments help to the new parents.They actually do recieve cash stipend as was promised. Besides, the new mothers stay home with their children up to 3 years recieving small payments. Of course, nothing is perfect, but it takes time to rebuilt everything. So as far as this matter is concern, for Ukraine being such poor country, it is a big step. So enough Gloom and Doom.