A published UN report showed that 5 million children worldwide died before reaching the age of five in 2021 at an “alarming” rate, despite the progress made in this regard since the turn of the century.
The report pointed to “huge differences” in child mortality rates by region and country in which they were born, noting that “five million children died in 2021 before they reached the age of five, which is worrying in light of the knowledge available “. and procedures to prevent these deaths.”
The report was prepared by the United Nations Interagency Group on Child Mortality Estimation, which includes, among others, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
Slightly less than half of these deaths (2.3 million deaths) occurred before the baby was one month old, and the leading cause of these deaths was attributed to preterm birth or birth-related complications, according to the report.
After the first month, infectious diseases, including pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria, are the leading cause of infant mortality.
The report denounces these deaths because “these deaths could have been largely avoided if better care had been provided at birth, the necessary nutritional supplements had been provided, the necessary vaccinations had been given to these children, and there had been a safe environment, especially in terms of sanitation”.
The report notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted regular vaccination campaigns, depriving an additional two million children of the opportunity to receive essential vaccinations in 2021 compared to 2020, or 6 million children compared to 2019.
The report warns of the consequences of not getting the vaccines babies need and the future impact of this on infant mortality rates.
However, there are some positive signs in the report, as under-five mortality has fallen by 50% since 2000, and stillbirths have fallen by 35% over the same period.
The report attributes this improvement to “increased investment in strengthening primary health care systems that benefit women, children and youth.”
On the other hand, the report warns that “compared to 2010, achievements have fallen significantly, as 54 countries will miss the sustainable development goal of under-five mortality.”
He warned of the death of almost 59 million children and young people by 2030 and the loss of nearly 16 million children due to stillbirth unless urgent action is taken to improve health care.
The organizations that prepared the report deplored the persistence of huge disparities in child mortality rates between regions of the world.
Source: AFP.
