IBFAN AFRICA

Despite a wide range of political and economic philosophies, the leaders of the world’s nations (at least the leaders of the 192 member-states of the United Nations) have finally agreed upon a single goal, rather, a collection of eight goals. During the 2000 Millennium Summit in New York City, the world’s leaders ratified the United Nations Millennium Declaration from which the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are taken. The eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, achievement of universal primary education; promotion of gender equality; reduction of child mortality rates; improvement of maternal health; combat of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malarial and other diseases; the safeguarding of environmental sustainability; and the strengthening of a global partnership for future development are the eight MDGs that are to be met by 2015.

The fourth goal, the reduction of child mortality rates, is the goal with which IBFAN and its international branches, especially IBFAN Africa take a particular concern. The majority of infant deaths are in just one dozen nations, most of which are in Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa being the region most afflicted accounting for nearly half of under-five deaths. Though a lack of immunization against such diseases as measles and neonatal tetanus account for a large number of deaths; the majority of under-five deaths are caused by malarial diseases which account for about 10 percent of such deaths. These can be largely prevented by the simple utilization of insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Diarrhoeal illnesses, which are also responsible for about13 percent of neonatal fatalities, can also be proactively prevented.

In its report on the progress made towards the achievement of the MDGs, the Disease Control Priorities Project suggests that breastfeeding is the first preventive intervention in reducing child and infant mortality rates. Diarrhoeal illnesses account for a large percentage of under-five deaths. Many of these illnesses can be prevented by exclusively breastfeeding a child for at least the first six months of its life, followed by the introduction of complementary feeding until the child is about two years old. According to Le Leche League International (LLLI), breastfeeding is key in its achievement for few of the MDGs, particularly Goal 4. According to their research, “achieving optimal infant feeding would reduce under-five mortality by 19 percent.”  The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is also a staunch advocate of breastfeeding. The organisation also promotes breastfeeding programmes because it is so essential for activating the immune systems of newborns as well as allowing for the production of necessary hormones and enzymes which will enable the child to better ward off illnesses and respond more effectively to vaccinations.
 
At their current rate of progress, many nations in Sub-Saharan Africa may fail to reach the goal to dramatically reduce child mortality by 2015. While many national governments do have immunization programmes and pediatric health services, health programmes lack appropriate emphasis on the most basic yet effective act which would assure both a child’s health and survival: breastfeeding. The fulfillment of the MDGs is the responsibility of each of the 192 member-states of the United Nations. With that said, I must note that the wealthier nations (most notably the G8) have an obligation to ensure that every nation committing to meet the MDGs does, in fact, meet them. Humanitarian aid both pledged and delivered towards breastfeeding and other programmes would help nations safeguard against child mortality, and this aid from the wealthier nations is necessary to further any progress towards meeting Millennium Goal 4. A marked resolve and consistent assistance from the G8 and other wealthier nations to helping those in need would be a fulfillment of that responsibility. Hopefully, the nations who most desperately need these programmes will receive funding for and implement them before it is too late. “Too late” is not referring to meeting the 2015 deadline of the MDGs: too late is simply the time where the lives of too many children are needlessly lost while those with the means to save themidly stand by and watch an entire generation succumb to avoidable deaths.

By:
Ms. Zoe Samudzi
IBFAN Africa
Intern

[1] United Nations Department of Public Information. (2008, September). Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality. Retrieved June 20, 2010, from End Poverty 2015: MIllennium Development Goals.

[1] Disease Control Priorities Project. (2007, February). Achieving the Millennium Development Goals for Health: So far, progress is mixed—can we reach our targets? Retrieved June 20, 2010, from www.dcp2.org.

[1] La Leche League International. (2007, October 14). Media Release: Breastfeeding is Central to Meeting Goals for Women. Retrieved June 20, 2010, from La Leche League International.

[1] United Nations Children's Fund. (n.d.). UNICEF: Goal - Reduce Child Mortality. Retrieved June 20, 2010, from UNICEF Millenium Development Goals.