Reduce Child mortality
"Infant mortality rates in Fiji are still higher than the targets set in the Millennium Development Goals."[1] The Millennium Development Goal targets are 5.6 for infant mortality, 9.3 for child mortality.[1]But, there has been an overall decline in child mortality. The three most prominent known causes of death for children below the age of five years were: [2]
1. Congenital Anomalies (24%)
2. Prematurity (20%) 3. Injuries (12%) In 2011, Dr. Isimeli Tukana, National Adviser for Non Communicable Diseases, reported that mortality rates for infants and mothers were reducing and their overall health had improved. He also reported that the introduction of 3 new vaccines the following year (2012) would respond to infections occurring in children of Fiji.[3] These vaccines have contributed towards Fiji achieving the Millennium Development Goal to reduce child mortality.
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2014 Child Mortality Estimate
Total: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births Male: 11.24 deaths/ 1,000 live births Female: 9.1 deaths/ 1,000 live births taken from CIA Factbook |
Proposed prevention
Despite their substantial progress they still continue to lag behind other developing nations. Fiji is still falling short of the Millennium Development Goal to reduce child mortality. "Reducing under-five mortality requires political will, applied consistently in support of child and maternal health through concerted action, sound strategies and adequate resources."[4] A simple strategy to use is maternal education. Education on breast-feeding, and newborn care, along with equipping hospitals with proper resources, and hiring qualified doctors. These things can help drop the number of infant deaths.