Lanka ahead of India and China in child healthcare services

by Nilma DOLE

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Sri Lanka is on its way to achieving the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) in the field of child healthcare ahead of India and China, says UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Education Fund).

Sri Lanka’s rich Asian neighbours accounted for nearly a third for all child deaths in the Asia-Pacific region at 2.5 million in 2006 and will be discussing on reducing this number to achieve the MDGs. UNICEF said that Sri Lanka, which was one of the longest running civil wars in the region has managed to cut down on child deaths by half since 1990 because it has emphasised on healthcare.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pledged 63 billion for next year to the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition - the third highest budget awarded to a ministry.

“The government has placed malnutrition at the forefront of its health priorities and UNICEF is backing this effort to the hilt”, said Minister of Healthcare Centre and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva at one of UNICEF’s nutrition programs this year.”

We know that a minimum package of high-impact and cost-effective interventions can be integrated into the lifestyles of women and children to ensure that good nutrition practices are sustained.”

The Secretary to the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition Dr. H. A. P. Kahadaliyanage said “We ensure that there is a healthcare within five km”. Despite the manpower shortage during the last couple of years he said that the Health Ministry has filled all vacancies including the North and East.

He said “UNICEF has been instrumental in providing us with health provisions and resources including programs for children”.

Dr. Kahadaliyanage said that WHO has helped the Health Ministry in training local medical staff and the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) has helped in strengthening maternalcare clinics.

Dr. Kahadaliyanage said “If a mother is unable to bring her child for the next vaccination our certified medical staff will check their records and visit them to ensure that the vaccination is given”.

The Communications Officer of UNICEF James Elder said “UNICEF works with the government of Sri Lanka in the area of child healthcare and we are happy that they are cooperating with us. There is a child mortality rate below five as a result of good healthcare”.