Millennium Development Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
The health and survival of children, and their mothers, is critical to the
achievement of all Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Although the number of
under five deaths has declined by 20% (from 1990 figures), to a record low of
9.7 million per annum in 2006, this is still far short of the MDG 4 target of a
two-thirds reduction by 2015.
Because 40% of child deaths occur in the first days of life, largely due to the
lack of basic maternal and newborn care, improving the health of children (MDG
4) goes hand in hand with improving the health of their mothers (MDG 5). The UK
therefore wants to see faster progress towards both of these MDGs. We are
seeking to improve child and maternal health through our wider work on
strengthening health systems to deliver better health services.
In order to attain the maternal and child health MDGs, a concentrated,
sustained, long-term investment in health services and infrastructure is
required. This includes having skilled birth attendants who have supplies and
equipment, improving access to family planning services and action to address
the issue of unsafe abortion.
Most child deaths are preventable and avoidable with the delivery of better
health services. Internationally, the UK Government, along with the health-related UN agencies and a wide range of donors, has championed the International
Health Partnership (IHP). This focuses on stepping up global efforts to
strengthen health systems so that hospitals and health centres have well trained
doctors, nurses and midwives as well as the medicines and equipment to do their
job. This would include immunisations, antibiotics and prevention of mother to
child transmission of HIV.
In "Achieving Universal Access – the UK’s strategy for halting and reversing
the spread of HIV in the developing world" we commited £6 billion to strengthen
health systems and services over seven years to 2015. We will work with
international partners to support countries with health worker shortages to
provide at least 2.3 doctors, nurses and midwifes per 1,000 people, through
supporting plans that identify the appropriate mix of health workers.
The UK’s broader development efforts to enhance economic growth, improve basic
services such as water and sanitation and education, address inequality,
conflict, civil unrest, child rights and food insecurity, also have a positive
impact on the health of children.
Links
Last updated: 18 September 2008
