The children of the world: The ineluctable responsibility of all the earth's inhabitants -
Focus quotation:
"...the time has come when each human being on earth must learn to accept responsibility for the welfare of the entire human family."
--The Universal House of Justice, 24 May 2001
7 April, World Health Day
6 April , New Delhi: This World Health Day, Save the Children reminds the government to keep its commitment to reduce child mortality by two-thirds by 2015.
Two million children die every year in India. Over 60 % die in the first 28 days of birth. The majority of these die of diseases we know how to stop - diarrhoea, pneumonia, malaria, measles and pre and post natal complications. Over half of these deaths could be be avoided if children were better nourished, a large segment of which could be reduced if anemia in women was tackled and immediate and exclusive breastfeeding was ensured.
India is faring worse than neighbouring Bangladesh that made enormous reductions in child mortality over the past few years. To deliver on its commitments, India must reduce the number of child deaths to 30/1000 from the current rate of 57/1000.
"Already far past the mid point mark to the deadline for these goals, India is lagging dangerously behind its commitments. This is outrageous when these deaths can be easily averted," says Shireen Vakil Miller, Director Advocacy and Policy, Save the Children India Here are some of the shocking facts on India's health indicators:
�2 million children die under five in India each year. This accounts for 22% of all children dying around the world. �1 out of every four children in the world, who die under the age of one, is an Indian �One out of three malnourished children is in India. Almost half of all children in India are malnourished �More than 65% of the child deaths in India happen in just 5 states: Rajasthan. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa. �Over half of all pregnant mothers give birth without skilled birth attendants.
"Thanks to investment by the government in their National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), we have the means to save millions of lives. In the run up to our elections, politicians must find the political will to make these well-meaning policies deliver effectively for children once and for all" adds Miller.
Miller continues: "Access to primary health care still remains a distant dream for millions of mothers and children who remain the underbelly of India's burgeoning growth.
"Our government has made promises to our children. Let's make sure they keep them."
To help save children's lives, please go to www.savethechildren.in/india/donate or SMS 'SAVE' to 55050 -ENDS -
For information and to arrange interview contact: Pragya Vats +91 9868424692
Notes to Editor: Save the Children is the world's leading, independent organisation for children that works in over 120 countries around the world. Save the Children India is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance. The organization is working on four core issues including Child protection, Child Survival, education and disaster risk reduction in 12 states and union territories and has reached over 3 million children across India.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Read another story on hunger in Kenya here: http://www.alertnet.org/db/blogs/55943/2009/03/12-101218-1.htm
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