The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development covers 17 goals, the third of which is “good health and well-being”, namely: Ensure healthy lives and?promote well-being at all ages. (Click here for details)

Under this major goal, there are thirteen targets, the second of which is “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.”

● Current Situation

Photo source: internet 

Substantial global progress has been made in reducing child deaths since 1990. The total number of under-5 deaths worldwide has declined from 12.6 million in 1990 to 5.3 million in 2018. On average, 15,000 children under-5 die each day compared with 34,000 in 1990. Since 1990, the global under-5 mortality rate has dropped by 58%, from 93 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 39 in 2018. 

About the World

WHO Calls on Essential Health Service for All Children 

WHO calls on member states to address health equity through general health coverage so that all children can access to essential health services without suffering financial hardship.

We focus on moving from current situation to implement innovative, multiple, and tailored approaches and try to increase access, coverage, and quality of child health services. It requires strategic direction and an optimal mix of community and facility based care. Effects made by health and other sectors are also needed to overcome the inequalities and the social health issues.

Text and photo source: WHO website  

About China

China's Child Mortality Ratio Declines Significantly

China's child mortality ratio has been declining. According to the Development of China's Maternal and Child Health Report 2019, China's neonatal and under-5 mortality ratio dropped from 33.1‰ and 61.0‰ to 3.9‰ and 8.4‰ respectively from 1991 to 2018.

Photo source: jinhua.com

On the other hand, there is also a significant gap between urban and rural areas. In 2018, the under-5 mortality ratio in rural and urban areas was 10.2‰ and 4.4‰ respectively.

Text source: Southern Metropolis Daily

● Cases 

About the World

Vaccination Reduces Neonatal Mortality 

Vaccination can help children resist diseases and protect their lives and health. In 2017, UNICEF purchased 2.4 billion doses of vaccine, worth US$1.3 billion, covering 45% of the world's children.

Photo source: UNICEF website 

Thanks to the vaccination, the whole world except for 15 countries has eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus, which is extremely fatal to newborns.

Text source: people.com.cn

About China

HKU Shenzhen Hospital Creates High-level Neonatology Department

On October 18, 2019, the “advanced team of comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of extremely high risk newborn led by Professor Shoo Lee of Canadian Newborn Research Institute” was unveiled in The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital, as part of Shenzhen’s medical care project of “famous doctors (departments), famous hospitals and famous clinics”. This team not only further improves the survival of preterm infants, reduces the mortality and sequelae ratio, but also creates a high-level neonatology department in terms of clinical services, teaching and training, as well as scientific research. It brings convenience for Shenzhen citizens to have access to first-class medical services.

Text source: sina.com.cn

● Background

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Initiated by the United Nations

On January 1, 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 169 targets, of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.