UNICEF’s take on Child Health during COVID-19

Child health has always been a big issue in India. With COVID-19 striking the world, especially the children, India needs to look out for its future. India has an Infant Mortality Rate of 41 deaths per 1000 live births. UNICEF issued a statement talking about how children should not be the hidden victims of the pandemic.

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Here’s an excerpt from the statement

“According to our analysis, 99 per cent of children and young people under 18 worldwide (2.34 billion) live in one of the 186 countries with some form of movement restrictions in place due to COVID-19. Sixty per cent of all children live in one of the 82 countries with a full (7%) or partial (53%) lockdown – accounting for 1.4 billion young lives.

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UNICEF is launching the global agenda for action to protect the most vulnerable children from harm. The agenda has six pillars: 1) Keep children healthy and safe; 2) Reach vulnerable children with water, sanitation and hygiene; 3) Keep children learning; 4) Support families to cover their needs and care for their children; 5) Protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse; and 6) Protect refugee and migrant children, and those affected by conflict.

But for many children, basic water, sanitation and hygiene facilities remain out of reach.Globally, 40 per cent of the population, 3 billion people, still lack a basic handwashing facility with soap and water available at home.”

To read the whole statement: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/dont-let-children-be-hidden-victims-covid-19-pandemic

With everything said and done, all the governments around the world have come together, its time for us to prepare on a global level.

Image Credits: Unicef