Child mortality rates affected by cuts to aid budgets

"Child mortality rates affected by cuts to aid budgets"

"Quotable Bill Gates tells Al Jazeera about setbacks slowing efforts to reduce the global child mortality rate, as child deaths are projected to rise for the first time this century."

Cuts to international aid budgets are undermining efforts to reduce child mortality, contributing to setbacks and service disruptions. Reduced funding is affecting immunization campaigns, nutrition programs, primary healthcare delivery and disease prevention efforts that previously drove declines in under-five deaths. Available projections indicate a rise in child deaths for the first time this century, reversing decades of progress. The trend reflects funding shortfalls, strained health systems and interrupted program delivery, especially in low-income countries. Restoring and sustaining finance, strengthening delivery systems, and prioritizing child health interventions are essential to prevent further increases and reclaim past gains.

Read at www.aljazeera.com