The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) recently released two global reports on child mortality and stillbirths. The “Levels and Trends in Child Mortality” report and the “Never Forgotten” report delve into the gravity of these issues worldwide.
Findings on Child Mortality
According to the UN IGME, about 5 million children globally died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2021. More than half of these deaths occurred among children aged between one and 59 months, while the rest happened in just the first month of life. India accounted for about 7 lakh under-five deaths, 5.8 lakh infant deaths, and 4.4 lakh neonatal deaths.
Fortunately, significant progress has been made over the years, with the global under-5 mortality rate dropping by 50% since the start of the century. However, progress has slowed since 2010, and it is predicted that 54 countries will fail to meet the Sustainable Development Goals target for under-5 mortality.
Child Mortality: A Regional Perspective
Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia continue to bear the brunt of child mortality, with children in Sub-Saharan Africa having the lowest chances of survival. The availability of quality healthcare plays a crucial role in determining a child’s survival chance. Most child deaths occur in the first five years, with half within the first month of life. Reasons include premature birth and complications during labour.
The Threat of Infectious Diseases
For children surviving past their first 28 days, infectious diseases pose a significant risk. Conditions like pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria remain substantial threats to child survival.
An In-depth Look at Stillbirths
However, child mortality is not the only issue that needs attention. Stillbirths, instances where a baby dies anytime after 22 weeks of pregnancy but before or during birth, also present a significant challenge. Globally, an estimated 1.9 million stillbirths occurred in 2021, with India accounting for 2,86,482.
Preterm Births: A Major Contributor
Preterm births, where children are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed, contribute significantly to child deaths. These preterm babies face two to four times higher risk of death after birth compared to those born after 37 weeks. With one in every six to seven births being preterm, India carries a high burden of preterm births.
Government Initiatives in India
In response to these issues, the Indian government has initiated several programs. These include the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) or POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the National Food Security Act (NFSA), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. Other interventions like the Eat Right India and Fit India Movement are also being promoted to encourage healthy eating and lifestyles.
About UN IGME
The UN IGME, established in 2004, was created to share data on child mortality, improve methods for child mortality estimation, report on progress towards child survival goals and enhance country capacity to produce timely and properly assessed estimates of child mortality. UNICEF leads UN IGME, which includes the World Health Organization, the World Bank Group and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.
Recommended Measures to Prevent Stillbirths and Preterm Births
Improving health services, increasing family planning services access, enhancing antenatal care including iron folic acid intake by pregnant mothers, and counselling on the importance of a healthy diet are some measures to address stillbirths and preterm births. Adequate data recording and reporting on these issues, along with effective implementation of maternal and perinatal deaths surveillance guidelines, are also important.
The Need for Increased Funding
Although the Indian government committed in its National Health Policy of 2017 to invest 2.5% of its GDP on health by 2025, the allocation has only marginally increased six years later. The recent reports from UN IGME serve as a reminder that the government needs to allocate more funds for health, starting with the upcoming budget.