Natural deliveries has seen a 5-10% increase with the implementation of the Health Reform Plan which seeks to encourage natural births and reduce cesarean sections, said Mohammad Esmaeil Motlaq, head of Population and Family Health Office at the Health Ministry. The total number of natural births during the first 6 months of this year (started March 21) is 3% more than the same period last year, he was quoted by IRNA as saying. Motlaq also pointed to the decline in the termination of pregnancies compared to the previous years. Nearly 1.53 million children were born last year (ended March 20) while terminated pregnancies numbered 250,000. He also pointed to the problem of infertility, noting that there are more than 3 million infertile couples in the country. To address the issue, all medicines required for treatment of infertility are provided insurance cover, he said.
