Working To Decrease Child Mortality in the Philippines

by Mike Smith · 2009-09-27 16:50:00 UTC
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When you see news that says "child mortality down by two-thirds, but a long way to go" it's hard to relate. It's an abstract piece of great news, but it's hard to appreciate what's been done, and what's still to be done. So here's some concrete work. In the Philippines a seven year program is beginning. It's all part of an attempt to meet the Millennium Development Goal of reducing child deaths: in the Philippines it's hoped the rate can be reduced from 162 per 100,000 to 52 per 100,000. The U.N. helping with service delivery and equipment, as well as helping to train health workers.

The program will focus on locations that have high mortality rates due to poverty, deliveries at home, and areas with low contraceptive prevalence rates, focusing on family planning rather than using artificial contraceptives. It's explained that "skilled and professional delivery can save up to 40 percent of maternal deaths, and planned pregnancy can save another 40 percent." It all adds up to a lot of lives easily saved with a little investment.

[Photo credit: Anne Jimenez]

Mike Smith
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