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Washington (AFP)
Deaths from preventable diseases in children under the age of five could rise by nearly 45 percent in the next six months as the COVID-19 pandemic diverts scarce health resources in developing countries, a report said Tuesday. from the ONU.
According to the study published by The Lancet Global Health, the poorest nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America could see an additional 1.2 million babies die during the period.
Around 56,700 more maternal deaths could also occur in six months, beyond the 144,000 deaths already taking place in the same 118 countries, an increase of about 40 percent.
The findings were based on a computer model that calculated the impact of a reduction in family planning, prenatal and postnatal care, delivery, vaccines, and preventive and curative services.
“In the worst case, the global number of children dying before their fifth birthday could increase for the first time in decades,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.
“We must not allow mothers and children to become collateral damage in the fight against the virus. And we must not allow decades of progress to be lost in reducing preventable deaths of children and mothers.”
The greatest number of additional childhood deaths would come from malnutrition and a reduction in the treatment of neonatal sepsis and pneumonia.
The study found that the 10 countries that could have the highest number of additional child deaths were Bangladesh, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
UNICEF said it was especially alarmed by the side effects of the pandemic.
This included tens of millions of children who missed measles vaccinations, and some 370 million children who normally depend on school meals have to find other sources of food.
UNICEF said it was launching a new global campaign called “#Reimagine” to prevent the pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children.
The organization is urgently appealing to governments, the public, donors and the private sector to respond.
© 2020 AFP
