The United Nations (UN) has announced that, despite a decrease in the number of deaths of children under the age of five, one child dies every six seconds worldwide.
They believe that the death of many children and young people could be prevented if a better approach was taken to the provision of basic health services.
A report prepared by the UN Interagency Group for Child Mortality Assessment (UN IGME) with data for the year 2022 has been published.
According to the report, the number of children who died before the age of five fell to the lowest level in 2022 – at 4.9 million. Globally, the under-five mortality rate has also fallen by 51 percent since 2000.
In 2022, 4.9 million children under the age of five died, as well as 2.1 million children and youth between the ages of five and 24.
These deaths were mainly recorded in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
It was found that despite the global reduction in the death of children under the age of five, one child dies every six seconds.
Child mortality has declined in many middle- and low-income countries. The report stated that the number of deaths could be reduced in the future if more investment is made in primary health services and children’s health.
Deaths among children and young people are caused by preventable or treatable causes such as premature birth, complications during childbirth, pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria.
It was emphasized that the lives of many children and young people can be saved through low-cost interventions such as vaccination, adequate medical personnel during childbirth, early and continuous breastfeeding support, diagnosis and treatment of childhood diseases, as well as better access to quality primary health services.
It has been observed that integrated treatment of childhood diseases, especially neonatal death, acute respiratory infections, diarrhea and malaria, is necessary to improve child health and child survival.
While global data indicate that child mortality is decreasing, many regions also see significant threats and inequalities that threaten child survival. These threats included inequality and economic instability, new and protracted conflicts, the increasing impact of climate change and the effects of COVID-19.
It has been stated that children born in the poorest areas are twice as likely to die before the age of five compared to children living in the richest areas.
It noted that children living in conflict-affected areas are almost three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than children in other regions.
If this trend continues, approximately 35 million children will die before their fifth birthday by 2030. Most of these deaths will occur in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), whose views are included in the report, said that although satisfactory progress has been made in reducing child mortality, millions of families experience the pain of losing children every year, usually in the first days after birth.
“It is crucial to improve access to quality health care for every woman and child, including in emergencies and hard-to-reach areas,” Ghebreyesus said.
Juan Pablo Uribe, the World Bank’s global director for health, nutrition and population, underlined that this year’s report is an important milestone showing that fewer children are dying before the age of five.
“We must accelerate progress and fulfill our global commitment by focusing on more investment, cooperation and ending preventable child deaths,” Uribe added, AA writes.
