The study notes that Cuba is one of the few nations in the region where births are assisted in health centers by qualified personnel and it is the only Latin American or Caribbean country whose infant mortality rates are on a pare with industrialized nations.

Cuban Deputy Health Minister, Aldo Munoz, announced Thursday in Havana, that Cuba has an infant mortality rate of 6.0 per one thousand live births, which is much lower than last year's rate during the same period of 6.3.

The health official explained that it will be more difficult to reduce that figure this year however, taking into account that there have been 8 thousand fewer births compared to last year, causing the birth rate to continue decreasing.

According to Dr. Munoz, Cuba has managed to achieve its low infant mortality rate due to the constant modernization of medical equipment, well-trained medical personnel and high quality primary attention.

The UN Population Fund report reveals that poverty and the region's lack of medical assistance has relegated the area to an average infant mortality rate of 32 per one thousand live births.

The UN report also notes that for every 100 thousand children born worldwide, 190 mothers die.