Disabilities among newborn as well as unborn babies is increasing at an alarming rate of 13.7 per cent across the world.

This was stated by world-known scientist and polymath arch-researcher Prof Dr Aurangzeb Hafi on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, being observed in Pakistan, like in other countries of the world.

In a message, he said that teratogens, the substances, which were used in medicines as an ingredient, were responsible for physical and chemical abnormalities during the embryonic stages.