CHILD HEALTH
Pat On The Back
Nepal has been hailed for progress in child survival rate despite going through violent conflict
By A CORRESPONDENT
Despite being ravaged politically, economically and socially by the over decade-long violent conflict and despite suffering from unending poverty, Nepal has achieved impressive progress in the child survival rate. A latest report by Save the Children has hailed Nepal for its progress in child survival rate despite financial constraints and conflict.
Save the Children's new Child Survival Progress Report Card ranks Bangladesh 3, Nepal 4 and India 10 among 60 developing countries in reducing child mortality since 1990. Pakistan ranks 17, while Afghanistan ranks 39.
The ranking includes 60 developing countries, which together account for 94 percent of all child deaths worldwide. The rankings indicate which countries are succeeding and which are failing to save the lives of children under the age of 5 years. The rankings are part of the 8th annual State of the World's Mothers report, released by Save the Children US.
"Among the developing countries, Bangladesh and Nepal are making great strides in child survival despite limited financial resources. These countries have invested in better health care for mothers, better nutrition for children, and lifesaving health care services to prevent and treat deadly diseases," states a press release issued by Save the Children Sweden Regional Office for South and Central Asia.
The report credits Nepal—despite having a GNI of only $1,530 and being mired in conflict—for having reduced its under-5 death rate by almost half in the past 15 years. Increasing immunization coverage and vitamin A supplementation among young children are key to this success.
The report, however adds that there are still a lot of problems that need to be resolved in countries of this region including Nepal. "Nearly half of all children under age 5 are suffering from moderate or severe malnutrition in Bangladesh, India and Nepal," it states. "Nearly 90 percent of births in Nepal are not attended by skilled personnel, placing both mother and newborn at greater risk of death," it adds.
In a separate set of rankings measuring the well-being of mothers and children in 140 countries worldwide, Save the Children has Sweden as No. 1 (the best place in the world to be a mother), while Niger/Afghanistan come last. In South Asia, India stands at 61st in the developing world, while Afghanistan ties with Niger for last out of 164 countries.
"The report also notes the three biggest killers of children under 5 years worldwide - newborn disorders, pneumonia and diarrhoea. By using existing interventions, we can save more than 6 million of the 10.1 million children who die every year from easily preventable or treatable causes. There are many inexpensive solutions that have the greatest potential to save lives such as vaccines, oral rehydration therapy (ORT) and insecticide-treated mosquito nets," the release adds.
Save the Children notes that it is ultimately a question of political will and social commitment than a matter of national wealth as the countries in South Asia show.
Save the Children is one of the world's oldest and largest independent organization for children, making a difference to children's lives in over 110 countries. Established in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb, she was the first to press for worldwide safeguards for children.
From emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children helps children to achieve a happy, healthy and secure childhood. Save the Children secures and protects children's rights – to food, shelter, health care, education and freedom from violence, abuse and exploitation.
RH Care For Conflict Affected
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nepal launched, on Monday (May 21), a one year project funded by Japan, to deliver mobile reproductive health services to conflict affected populations. The aim is to organize reproductive health camps in six districts of the far-western and mid-western regions of Nepal, serving close to 25,000 women of reproductive age, and men and adolescents affected by conflict.
The reproductive health camps will provide essential reproductive health services, counseling, lab tests, treatment, referral and surgical care, all of which are urgently needed.
Addressing the launching ceremony, Tsutomu Hiraoka, Japanese ambassador, highlighted the importance of reproductive health services in rural areas of Nepal, especially conflict affected areas, where people lack access to basic medical and reproductive health services and information.
“ Nepal has some of the poorest reproductive health indicators in the world. Nepal’s rural reproductive health suffers from modestly trained staff, staff absenteeism, shortfalls in equipment and drugs, limited support to community based staff, a poor referral system, and cultural and geographical barriers. The conflict has exacerbated these problems,” the press release by UNFPA states.
“The project will address immediate reproductive health needs of women, men and adolescents in both peri-urban and remote areas of conflict affected districts, while permanent services are being developed,” says Junko Sazaki, UNFPA Representative.
“Bringing reproductive health services to conflict-affected villages and communities will not only improve the health status of the most vulnerable populations, but will also build hope and belief in the overall development, fostering confidence in the peace building process”.
By increasing access to reproductive health services this project will also contribute to the promotion of human rights, empowerment of youth and women, and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 1, 3, 5 and 6.
