Child Mortality and Morbidity Reduction: A Great Achievement for Bangladesh

Abstract

Since the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the Government of Bangladesh has been putting its best efforts at reduction of child mortality and morbidity. Child mortality reduction is considered an important indicator of socioeconomic success under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Bangladesh fared well with respect to reduction of child mortality which is measured by under-five mortality rate (U-5MR) and infant (children under one year of age) mortality rate (IMR). The U-5MR has gone down from 146 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 84 in 2000 and further reduced to 40 per 1,000 live births in 2019. To understand the child malnutrition situation in the country, one important indicator we need to consider is the rate of underweight children under five years of age which decreased from 66% in 1990 to 22.6% in 2019. The Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) is being implemented for past several decades and it is an important way to deal with vaccine preventable diseases. About 85% of children 12-23 months are fully immunized in the country which is a major achievement made in this regard. The government for over two decades has been promoting early childhood development. It is well recognized by now that children's potential and capacities can be unleashed through early education, stimulation, psychosocial and cognitive development.