The death rate of premature babies in Israel is twice as high as in other Western countries, according to a report issued by the Lahav Society for Premature Infants in Israel. The report was released on World Prematurity Day, on Nov. 17. According to the statistics, one in eight premature infants in Israel does not survive. Of premature babies weighing under 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds), 12.3 percent died while being treated in neonatal units. However, the authors of the report cited one glimmer of light, saying that the mortality rate leveled off in 2011. Israel as a whole has seen an increase in premature births. In 2012, 1,700 babies weighing less that 1.5 kilograms were born in Israel. The report states that 80% of premature infants do not get the initial care they need for their special needs. Even after they are released from intensive-care units, they do not get the proper food and their parents do not receive sufficient professional visits and guidance. The report also says premature infants born after the 34th week of pregnancy are often released from the hospital too early due to overcrowding. According to the World Health Organization, a premature infant is one born before the 37th week of pregnancy. The report states that almost a quarter of all premature babies in Israel (22.8%) contract infections in neonatal intensive-care units, as opposed to 16 percent in Canada and only 5 percent in Japan. The report also indicates that Israeli insurance companies globally refuse all requests to privately insure premature infants. MK Orly Levy-Abekasis (Likud), who is also the chairwoman of the forum for premature infants (comprising Lahav and the Israel neonatal society) says that "Israel loses about 200 premature babies weighing up to 1.5 kilos. This is an unprecedented number. We have to join forces to combat this."