A recent report released by UNICEF, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, reveals a significant decline in global child mortality rates. Despite this positive trend, concerns remain about the sustainability of progress, particularly in regions with persisting challenges.
The report indicates that the number of children dying before their fifth birthday has decreased by 51 per cent since 2000 and by 62 per cent since 1990, reaching an estimated 4.9 million deaths in 2022. This improvement is attributed to various factors, including improved healthcare services, vaccination programs, and community interventions in countries like Malawi, Rwanda, and Mongolia, where child mortality has plummeted by more than 75 per cent since 2000.
UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell commended the efforts of healthcare workers and initiatives aimed at supporting maternal and child health. However, she cautioned that the progress achieved is fragile and could regress without sustained efforts to address existing challenges.
One concerning trend highlighted in the report is the deceleration of progress in reducing under-five mortality rates, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Complications during childbirth remain a leading cause of early childhood deaths, with respiratory infections, malaria, and diarrhoea posing significant threats to children aged one month to five years.
To meet the UN’s target of reducing under-five mortality to 25 per 1,000 births by 2030, urgent investments in children’s health are needed in 59 countries. Failure to allocate adequate resources could result in 64 countries failing to meet the goal of limiting first-month deaths to 12 per 1,000 births.
The report underscores the human toll behind these statistics, emphasizing that every number represents a precious life lost prematurely. It also sheds light on the stark disparities in child survival rates across different regions, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the brunt of childhood deaths.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of addressing these disparities, stating that a child’s chance of survival should not be determined by geographical location.
As the world strives to build on the progress made in child survival, the report serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and the urgent need for concerted global action to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and survive.
