6.9 million under-5 children die every year, says UNICEF
A United Nations official says 6.9 million children under
the age of five die every year, reports Xinhua.
Kim Dickson, a public health physician and senior advisor
with the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, told the media in an
interview.
The UN official said this was in the face of the global
community’s attempt to reach the eight anti-poverty objectives outlined by the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
``In the 1990s, child mortality was at 12 million a year and
now in the 2,000s we have 6.9 million,’’ Dickson said.
According to the latest statistics released by UNICEF on
child mortality, the global mortality figure translates into 19,000 deaths per
day.
``The adoption of the MDGs has played an important role in
creating a better world in terms of maternal and child health. But we still
have a long way to go,’’ Dickson said.
The MDGs include the eradication of extreme poverty,
improvement of maternal health and the reduction of child mortality.
They were agreed upon by world leaders at the Millennium
Summit held at UN Headquarters.
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