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UN: 5 million children died before their fifth birthday

2023-01-12 17:04:11Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
UN: 5 million children died before their fifth birthday
UN: 5 million children died before their fifth birthday

Almost half of the deaths occurred in babies' first month and most could be prevented with better health care, according to campaigners.

Five million children worldwide died before their fifth birthday in 2021, with almost half (47%) dying within their first month, according to new UN figures.

Most of the deaths could have been prevented with better health care, campaigners say, adding that deaths of newborn babies have not decreased since 2017.

The figures, released by the UN Child Mortality Assessment Group, showed that while mortality rates have fallen since 2000, progress has slowed over the past 12 years.

Dr Vandana Tripathi, from the NGO EngenderHealth, said that “sadly, the 2.3 million newborns who died in the first month of life is almost the same figure as in 2017. (2.5 million babies died in 2017).

"This confirms that, despite progress in health, there are still many needs in strengthening safe and quality infant care."

Children born in sub-Saharan Africa are 15 times more likely to die than children in Europe and North America.

UN figures also show that 1.9 million babies were stillborn in 2021, more than three-quarters (77%) in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. A woman's risk of stillbirth in sub-Saharan Africa is seven times greater than for women in Europe and North America.

Premature birth and complications during childbirth are the main causes of neonatal deaths. For children who survive beyond the first 28 days, diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria pose the greatest threat.

"Every day, many parents are dealing with the trauma of losing their children, sometimes before they take their first breath," said Vidhya Ganesh, director of data analytics, planning and monitoring at Unicef. "Such a widespread and preventable tragedy should never be accepted as inevitable," she added.

Kristy Kade, director of the White Ribbon Alliance, which campaigns for women's health, rights and gender equality, said the figures were not surprising.

"We're not paying attention to women before they get pregnant," she said.

"These figures are the result of poverty, hunger and lack of shelter. We will not improve without focusing on women."

She added that this is also happening because all over the world there are nurses and midwives leaving their jobs due to salaries.

"Midwives and nurses can be a lifesaver in these cases," she said.

While Covid-19 did not greatly affect child mortality, the pandemic may have increased survival risks, the UN said.

The pandemic has left many children without access to various vaccines, making them more susceptible to preventable diseases.


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