Ha Noi struggles with gender imbalance at birth

Illustration photo

The Ha Noi Steering Committee of Population and Family Planning convened a meeting to assess performance in the first eight months and set top tasks in the rest of the year, in Ha Noi on September 6.

In January-July, the number of newborns was 54,729, down 3,234 in comparison with 2015. The birth rate was 15.7%o and was expected to meet the preset goal. The rate of gender imbalance was 113.2 boys per 100 girls and was forecast to 114 boys per 100 girls at the year end. The gender imbalance rate remained high in comparison with the national average rate.

In the first eight months, Ha Noi deployed  prenatal screening tests (around 50.82% of pregnant women).  

In the rest of the year, Ha Noi will implement a series of measures to cut the birth rate by 0.1%o; reduce third-child birthrate by 0.1%; and raise prenatal screening rate to 72%. Especially, the city will focus on reducing birth rate imbalance and third-child birthrate./.

By Kim Anh