Child survival
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 calls for a reduction by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, of the under-5 mortality rate. Although many countries in the Region are on track to achieve this goal, for some it will prove challenging if mortality reduction continues to stagnate and preventable and treatable causes of child mortality persist.
Efforts in child survival are guided by the Regional Child Survival Strategy, which outlines a unified direction to accelerate and sustain action towards MDG 4 and to reduce inequities in child survival, particularly in areas of greatest need. The work of the WHO focuses on the implementation of an essential package comprising seven intervention areas. At the heart of the work are 10 core child survival indicators for the monitoring of progress towards universal coverage of the different intervention areas.
The Western Pacific Region is a very diverse area. Successful implementation of child survival actions at the country level must therefore take into account the local child health situation and health system capacity. A series of country Child Survival Profiles have been developed and include information on progress towards MDG 4; implementation of evidence-based interventions for child survival; related policies and strategies; child health financing; and coordination mechanisms.