Ending Preventable Child Deaths before 2035: Bangladesh Call to Action

DHAKA – The Government of Bangladesh today committed to ending preventable child deaths in the country before 2035. This commitment builds on the impressive progress that Bangladesh has made in reducing maternal and child mortality, and improving the health and wellbeing of mothers and children over the past 40 years.

To achieve this goal, the Government pledges to scale up interventions that are proven through rigorous research to address the remaining preventable causes of child mortality in Bangladesh. A special emphasis will be placed on ensuring the survival of newborns, our youngest and most vulnerable citizens, through simple and cost-effective interventions. Throughout this effort, which will involve a broad range of stakeholders, the Government will regularly monitor progress towards this landmark goal.

In this connection, Professor Dr. A.F.M Ruhal Haque, Minister, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare said: “Bangladesh has achieved significant success in reducing under-5 child mortality. However, the rate of neonatal mortality reduction is comparatively slower than the overall under-5 child mortality reduction. We need to address this now as 60 per cent of child mortality in Bangladesh is due to neonatal mortality.”

The main reasons for neonatal deaths are birth asphyxia, neonatal infections, prematurity and complications at birth. It is indeed a challenge to take effective steps against this as 71 per cent deliveries still take place at home.

On the other hand, the main reasons for the death of under-5 children are pneumonia, drowning and diarrhoea. Under nutrition is yet another challenge for Bangladesh which is a major contributing factor to child mortality. Among the under-5 children, 41 per cent are experiencing stunted growth. Bangladesh is committed to scale-up comprehensive nutrition packages for women, infants and young children.

“There’s a lot to learn from Bangladesh. Between 1991 and 2011, under-five deaths fell by almost 75 per cent, thanks, in part, to its commitment to innovation and knowledge-sharing,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “The challenge now is to achieve high levels of coverage of existing and new interventions, such as vaccinations and skilled birth attendants, by targeting the poorest populations where infant and child mortality remain high.”

Bangladesh has stepped up its efforts to bring down neonatal and child mortality to 20 per 1,000 live births by 2035 along with 23 other countries of the world. The success in achieving this target, however, depends on the partnership and ownership of the private sector, development partners, UN agencies, professional bodies, civil society and the population at large.

USAID Administrator, Rajiv Shah, said: “In June 2012, at the Child Survival: Call to Action Summit, I had the pleasure of watching the Government of Bangladesh join the international community in committing to end preventable child death by 2035. Proven through rigorous research, the set of life-saving interventions identified in this Call to Action today represents a costed plan that is results-oriented and makes all parties accountable for tracking progress toward this landmark goal.

“On behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), I would like to congratulate the Government of Bangladesh on its vision and leadership, as well as the partners for their contributions towards this impressive progress. We look forward to our continued collaboration with Government of Bangladesh and the citizens it serves. Together, we will strive for a future where every mother has the opportunity to see her child celebrates his or her 5th birthday.”

Minister for Health & Family Welfare made the Call to Action at the city’s Ruposhi Bangla Hotel for Ending Preventable Child Deaths before 2035. Special guests included: Captain (Retired) Dr. Mozibur Rahman Fakir, State Minister for Health & Family Welfare; and Professor Dr. Syed Modasser Ali, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Health & Family Welfare. Other distinguished guests included Pascal Villeneuve, Representative, UNICEF Bangladesh and Dan W. Mozena, US Ambassador to Bangladesh. The launch event was chaired by MM Neazuddin, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.


About UNICEF

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org