In 2022, the global child mortality rate dropped to 4.9 million, marking a significant achievement as reported by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.
Leading the efforts is the United Nations Children’s Fund in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, the World Bank Group, and the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The latest report highlights the remarkable decrease in the global under-five mortality rate by 51% since 2000, with several low- and lower-middle-income countries making substantial progress in child health and well-being.
For example, countries like Cambodia, Malawi, Mongolia, and Rwanda have witnessed over a 75% reduction in under-five mortality rates since 2000.
Although this progress is commendable, the report emphasizes the continued efforts needed to eliminate all preventable child and youth deaths globally.
It is noted that a significant number of deaths, including almost half of the 4.9 million under-five deaths, were newborns. Additionally, 2.1 million children and youth aged 5 to 24 lost their lives, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.
UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, acknowledged the dedicated healthcare professionals and workers who contribute to saving lives through various interventions and services.
The report cites preventable or treatable causes such as preterm birth, birth complications, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria as key factors contributing to child mortality.
Efforts to improve access to quality healthcare, including essential interventions such as vaccinations, skilled attendants at birth, breastfeeding support, and childhood illness management, could prevent many of these deaths.
While progress has been made, the report stresses the importance of enhancing healthcare accessibility universally to prevent child deaths, especially during emergencies and in remote areas.
Investing in education, employment, and supportive working conditions for healthcare workers, including community health workers, is crucial for saving children’s lives and ensuring better health outcomes.
Dr. Juan Pablo Uribe, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank, emphasized the need for increased investments and collaborations to achieve the goal of ending preventable child deaths worldwide.
Despite positive trends, the report warns of existing threats and disparities that challenge child survival in various regions globally.
Efforts to reduce child mortality should focus on improving access to quality healthcare, especially around childbirth, to address inequities and preventable deaths among newborns, children, and youth worldwide.
According to the report, without further interventions, many countries are projected to miss the Sustainable Development Goal targets for under-five and newborn mortality, resulting in millions of child deaths by 2030, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia, and low- and lower-middle-income countries.
The need for improved data collection systems, particularly in high-mortality regions, is crucial for tracking child survival rates accurately and implementing targeted health interventions effectively.