6.9 million under-5 children die every year, says UNICEF

A United Nations (UN) official says 6.9 million children under the age of five die every year.
Kim Dickson, a public health physician and senior advisor with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), told the media in an interview.
The UN official said this was in the face of the global community’s attempt to reach the eight anti-poverty objectives outlined by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“In the 1990s, child mortality was at 12 million a year and now in the 2,000s we have 6.9 million,’’ Dickson said.
According to the latest statistics released by UNICEF on child mortality, the global mortality figure translates into 19,000 deaths per day.
“The adoption of the MDGs has played an important role in creating a better world in terms of maternal and child health.

“But we still have a long way to go,’’ Dickson said.
The MDGs include the eradication of extreme poverty, improvement of maternal health and the reduction of child mortality.
They were agreed upon by world leaders at the Millennium Summit held at UN Headquarters. (Xinhua/NAN)