Nepal is one of only seven countries in the world on track to cut child mortality by two thirds between 1990 and 2015, despite the conflict of the country, a recent report said.

A global study by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners of 60 countries with high child mortality, said that reasons for Nepal’s success in cutting child deaths should be highlighted and shared with the rest of the world.

A press statement issued by the UNICEF country office Nepal quoted UNICEF Representative in Nepal Dr Suomi Sakai as saying, “There are four main ways to cut child deaths in Nepal.”

The first way is to prevent illnesses from happening by giving vaccines and Vitamin A supplementation.

“Nepal managed to eliminate neo-natal tetanus last year, and the national measles campaign in 2004-5, which reached more than 9 million children in all districts, cut measles deaths by 2,500,” the press statement said.

“The twice-yearly Vitamin A supplementation has cut mortality by about 30% and is a key factor in Nepal’s success in boosting child survival,” she noted.

The second way to cut child deaths was to promptly treat diseases such as pneumonia with antibiotics, and to treat diarrhoea with oral rehydration salts, and now with zinc to reduce severity and duration.

According to Dr. Sakai, the third way was to improve newborn and maternal health as the survival of babies is closely linked to the care given to mothers during pregnancy, delivery and after the baby is born.

The final way concerned improving nutrition: about half of all child deaths in Nepal are linked to undernutrition.

Dr Sakai noted that the greatest gains had been made in the areas of vaccination and Vitamin A supplementation, and in the treatment of pneumonia and diarrhoea.

“A key reason is that much of this work is done by an extraordinary network of some 48,000 Female Community Health Volunteers,” Dr Sakai added.

Dr Sakai further noted, despite the gains, it was still important to remember that some 65,000 children under five still died each year in Nepal, “It is my hope that the work on the structures for peace will also be work to improve the health of the children of Nepal.”