According to a report to be released by UNICEF on Thursday (9/17/09), the number of children dying before the age of five has fallen below 9 million, the New York Times reports. This is the lowest that this rate has been since child mortality has been tracked, since about 1960. In 1990, 12.5 million children under the age of 5 died. In 2008, UNICEF is estimating that number to be 8.8 million.
Public health experts say that an increase in the distribution of vaccines, mosquito nets, and a rise in the number of women breast-feeding (which reduces the amount of contaminated water infants consume) has contributed to the decrease in child deaths. Malawi has experienced one of the largest drops in childhood mortality. Malawi’s success is owed in large part to their health workers. Over 10,000 high school-educated village health officials work in Malawi. With at least 10 weeks of training, they are able to diagnose illness, provide injections, and give out medicines. Not having to depend on doctors or nurses in rural villages makes a world of difference in the continued struggle to bring down child mortality rates.
In related news, South Africa has launched an ambitious, 2-week program to vaccinate and provide vitamins to 3 million children across the country. The program, started on September 7th, was set up by Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi. Temporary clinics have been set up and health workers are going door-to-door to visit various homes throughout the country. Dr. Motsoaledi is a welcome figure in South Africa, after years of health leaders who have denied the link between HIV and AIDS and the effectiveness of anti-AIDS drugs.
Tags: child mortality, malawi, South Africa
