Infant Mortality Campaign

One of the infant mortality clinics run in Sri Lanka.

Many argue that statistics are meaningless.

'"Infant mortality rate in Afghanistan exceeds 10%" -- that's just another of these meaningless statistics, isn't it?

In Afghanistan over 1 in 10 children will not live to see their first birthday. Even fewer still will live to age 5.

Still meaningless?

Tackling Infant Mortality

The problem of infant mortality -- the death of children -- is one that continues to plague the world. Rates of infant mortality in the world's poorest countries are over thirty times higher than those in the richest. Worst of all, most of these deaths are needless; they are caused by diseases for which vaccines exist, malnutrition when the world has enough food, diarrhea when clean water and hygiene education make it preventable and, most importantly, by a lack of access to basic healthcare services.

Although there has been some progress in many countries over the last twenty years current infant mortality rates are still at alarming levels. Indeed, one of the Millennium Development Goals, and another one that is sure not to be met, is "Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five."

This year Muslim Hands has launched a campaign for the reduction of infant mortality. The aim is to help reduce the needless deaths of children in the areas where we work. Pilot schemes have been launched in:

• Indonesia
• India
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan

The main areas the scheme focuses on are:

Vaccination
Simple vaccines are supplied free of charge for many of the killer childhood diseases. Clinics are also run free of charge to administer the vaccines.

Education
Both expectant mothers and those with newborns are given lessons on immunisation, hygiene, signs of illness, treatment for conditions like diarrhea and nutrition.

Nutrition
As well as education about the importance of nutrition, mothers with newborns are supplied with nutritious baby foods to maintain their child's health.

Healthcare
Mothers are introduced to healthcare and where possible given free access.

Safe Water
Those most at risk from unclean water are the very young. Much of Muslim Hands' work on providing access to safe water benefits most the very young and the very old.

At present, the scheme is still at a pilot stage with work carried out in a number of provinces and countries. Incorporating lessons learnt already, and taking account of local needs in each area, there are plans to expand the programme both within the pilot countries and into new ones.

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