Nepal has shown remarkable improvement in cutting down child mortality, a UNICEF report said.
"Nepal is among seven countries in the world to have successfully cut down Child Mortality Rate (CMR) by two-thirds," says the book 'State of the World's Children 2008: Child Survival', released by UNICEF regional headquarters in Kathmandu Thursday, adding, "and (it) is very much on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) on child health. "
UNICEF Nepal Representative, Ms. Gillian Mellsop launching a book report...
Talking at the program organized to launch the book, UNICEF Nepal representative, Gillian Mellsop said, "What is commendable for Nepal is that we were able to make this progress despite the conflict the country has experienced in the last decade."
Citing the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2006, Mellsop said under-five mortality rate currently stands at 61 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is a 67 percent reduction in the last decade. According to DHS 1991, the under-five morality was 165 per 1,000 births.
She said that although CMR has declined significantly in Nepal, still too many babies are dying. It may be mentioned here that most of the deaths of infants occur in the first three weeks of their lives. "That is where we are focusing: saving newborn lives," Mellsop said.
Dr Yesobardan Pradhan, chief of the Child Health Division (CHD), said the country would meet the MDGs even before the stipulated timeframe. For this, more emphasis had to be given to the promotion of exclusive breast feeding which is feeding only breast milk for six months, and early breast feeding, which is feeding the milk within one hour of birth. "This is the key to saving the life of neonatals, which is still a challenge for Nepal," he added.
According to Pradhan, the major factor that led to the reduction of child mortality is the immunization program, including supplementation of Vitamin A, that has been going on in the country for the past 10 years. Reduction of child mortality also resulted from improved sanitation and hygiene, he added. nepalnews.com ag Jan 25 08
