Global child mortality gains threatened by funding cuts, UN says

SWITZERLAND— The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) has released two critical reports—the UN IGME Child Mortality Report and the UN IGME Stillbirth Report, which highlight a concerning trend in global child health.

Despite decades of progress in reducing child deaths and stillbirths, these gains are now under threat due to significant funding cuts from major donors.

 In 2023, the number of children dying before their fifth birthday continued to decline, reaching a record low of 4.8 million, while stillbirths remained steady at approximately 1.9 million.

Since 2000, child deaths have decreased by more than half, and stillbirths have fallen by over a third, largely due to sustained investments in child survival initiatives worldwide.

 A notable milestone was achieved in 2022 when child deaths dropped below five million for the first time.

However, progress has begun to slow, and many children continue to lose their lives to preventable causes.

This slowdown is particularly concerning, as it indicates that efforts to save children’s lives are facing significant challenges.

The sharp reduction in global funding for critical child survival programs is exacerbating these challenges.

This has led to dire shortages of healthcare workers, clinic closures, interruptions to vaccination efforts, and a lack of essential supplies such as malaria treatments.

These cuts are having the most devastating impact in regions facing humanitarian crises, debt-laden countries, and areas already grappling with high child mortality rates.

Furthermore, these funding reductions could jeopardize efforts to monitor and track child health, making it increasingly difficult to reach the most vulnerable children.

According to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, millions of children are alive today primarily due to global commitments to effective interventions, including vaccines, proper nutrition, and access to clean water and sanitation.

However, she remains cautious that without sound policy choices and adequate investment, these hard-earned gains could be undone, resulting in more unnecessary child deaths.

Commenting on the reports, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, underscored the importance of increased collaboration to safeguard and improve children’s health in the face of funding shortfalls.

Even before the current funding crisis, the pace of progress in child survival had already begun to slow.

Since 2015, the annual rate of reduction in under-five mortality has dropped by 42%, and the decline in stillbirths has slowed by 53% compared to the period from 2000 to 2015.

Nearly half of under-five deaths occur within the first month of life, mainly due to premature births and complications during delivery.

Beyond this newborn phase, infectious diseases like pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea are among the leading causes of preventable child deaths.

Improving access to quality maternal, newborn, and child healthcare at all levels of the health system is crucial for saving lives.

This includes promoting preventive care in communities, ensuring timely visits to healthcare facilities, providing high-quality antenatal and postnatal care, administering routine vaccinations, offering comprehensive nutrition programs, and delivering specialized care for small and sick newborns.

For his part, Juan Pablo Uribe, World Bank Global Director for Health, noted that the majority of preventable child deaths occur in low-income countries where essential services, vaccinations, and treatments are often out of reach.

The reports also highlight that where a child is born significantly affects their chances of survival. C

Children born in sub-Saharan Africa are, on average, 18 times more likely to die before reaching five years old compared to those born in Australia and New Zealand.

Within countries, the poorest children, those in rural areas, and those with less-educated mothers face a higher risk.

The disparities in stillbirth rates are equally alarming, with nearly 80% occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.

In response to these pressing challenges, the UN IGME members are urging governments, donors, and partners from both the private and public sectors to safeguard the hard-won achievements in saving children’s lives and to expedite ongoing efforts.

Increased investments, service integration, and innovations are urgently needed to scale up access to proven life-saving health, nutrition, and social protection services for children and pregnant mothers.

Addressing these disparities is not only a moral obligation but also a crucial step toward sustainable development and global equity, as emphasized by UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua.

“Every child deserves a fair chance at life, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that no child is left behind.”

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