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TCovid-19 could reverse decades of progress in reducing infant mortality, a new United Nations report warns.
Mortality estimates published by UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs showed that the number of deaths of children under five years of age fell by more than half, from 12.5 million to 5.2 million, between 1990 and 2019, largely due to improvements in maternal health services and large-scale vaccination.
However, the widespread disruptions to these vital services that have occurred during the pandemic threaten to derail this progress, the organizations warn.
A UNICEF survey conducted over the summer of 77 countries found that nearly 68 percent of countries reported at least some interruption in children’s health checkups and immunization services. Furthermore, 63% of the countries reported interruptions in prenatal checkups and 59% in postnatal care.
And a recent WHO study based on responses from 105 countries revealed that 52% of countries reported interruptions in health services for sick children and 51% in services for managing malnutrition.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General, said: “We must not allow the Covid-19 pandemic to set back remarkable progress for our children and future generations. Rather, it is time to use what we know works to save lives and continue to invest in stronger and more resilient health systems. ”
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