Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - Despite progress in medicine and development in many countries especially the poorest ones, living conditions for children are precarious. One out of every 12 of the world’s children dies before the age of five. Each year 11 million children die of preventable diseases. In its annual Progress for Children Report UNICEF says that while 90 are on the right path to reduce the infant mortality rate by two thirds by 2015, 98 countries have a long way to go and at the global level progress for children is still too slow. According to the report in 2002 the average infant morality rate was 7/1000 but in underdeveloped countries the average was 158/1000.
HIV/AIDS is one of the main causes of infant death, particularly in Sub-Saharan countries. Botswana, Zimbabwe and Swaziland, are respectively second, third and fourth for the most rapid increase in infant mortality under five years, and they also have the highest world average for cases of HIV: about 37, 25 and 39% respectively. Inadequate delivery conditions, lack of proper health care for mother and child are among the main causes of infant deaths which can be prevented. About one third of children die from respiratory infections, parasite sicknesses such as diarrhoea followed by malaria and measles. Malnutrition is responsible for more than half the total number of infant deaths. Dirty water and poor hygiene sanitary conditions are other factors which contribute to the phenomenon. Other key factors are war and social instability as in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Despite a slight improvement, Sierra Leone still has the highest infant morality rate: one out of four children dies before the age of five: 284 per 1000 every year. Latin American and Caribbean countries registered the best progress although there is an alarming situation of unbalance among the countries in the area. In these countries poverty and discrimination prevent access to basic services. Malaysia, Malta and Egypt are among the countries which have made the best progress, although Egypt is still struggling with polio. The country which has lost most ground since 1990 is Iraq. (AP) (9/10/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:36; Parole:484)
