Article : Crisis on children
Crisis on children
In the two and a half decades of this century, child mortality rate reduction was said to be the world's biggest achievement, but now for the first time this century is expected to increase child mortality. The report of the Gates Foundation shows that the world may have become rich but the expenditure on children from poor countries has been reduced. According to the report, rich countries have cut 27 percent on global health expenditure. Due to which the death of two lakh additional children is expected this year.
In fact, these deaths may be caused by diseases that could have been avoided with the help of rich countries and basic treatment. Health experts are concerned that at a time when wealth is growing the fastest in the world, it is unfortunate that health expenditure on children from poor countries decreases. It is feared that if health assistance cuts by thirty percent, 1.6 crore additional children can die by the year 2045. See the irony that by ignoring this impending crisis, developed countries are insisting on increasing their defense and internal expenditure. Whereas the money given by rich countries for the health of children of poor countries is less than one percent of their budget. The Gates Foundation urges the rich countries of the world to target scarce resources in places where they can save most lives. In fact, they are children in crisis, who become the grass of death before celebrating their fifth birthday. This crisis will increase the global progress achieved for decades. Undoubtedly, a child born anywhere in the world should be given an opportunity to survive and flourish. In fact, the Goalkeepers Report of Gates Foundation and the Institute for Health Matrix and Evaluation at Washington University reported that in 2024, 4.6 million children died before their fifth birthday.
It is feared that the reduction in economic aid is expected to increase this number by two lakh this year to reach 4.8 million children. The basic reason for which is a major decline in global aid for health. Apart from the huge cuts in aid funds this year, increasing debt of poor countries can increase the risk of losing achievements against diseases like malaria, HIV and polio due to weak health systems. The recent report shows how targeted investments in certified solutions and next generation innovations can save the lives of millions of children on limited budgets. Undoubtedly, these children of poor countries deserve to get a safe life. Bill Gates, President of the Gates Foundation, says that there is a need to increase financial resources for health protection of children of poor countries in the world and improve efficiency to improve the current system. We have to do more work with less resources.
If this is not the case, then our generation will be stained that despite access to the most advanced science and innovation in human history, we could not raise money to save the lives of millions of children. We can stop the increase in child mortality by setting correct priorities and commitments, and investing in high-impact solutions. If this happens, we can help many million children survive by the year 2045. For this, it will be necessary that we pay more attention to primary health care, regular vaccinations, quality vaccines and new use of data while using foreign aid. Undoubtedly, the global commitment to fight these diseases needs to continue. Gates Foundation believes that by investing in the development of next generation innovations, we can eliminate some deadly diseases such as malaria and pneumonia among children forever.
Dr. Vijay Garg Retired Principal Malout Punjab
