Too many babies die in South Africa according to the report, 'saving Babies 2003-2005′, conducted by the Medical Research Council (MRC). MRC's study revealed that, “every year almost 23,000 South African babies die in their first month of life, yet one in five of these deaths could be avoided with better education, and relatively inexpensive and easily implemented changes in healthcare.” In the last two years little has been done to improve the situation, therefore one can only hope that with the results of the report, prenatal and postnatal education will be increased, and the infant mortality rate will begin to decline.
In Bangladesh, over 4,000 primary schools have been closed by floods. Sever flooding has effected many countries this year, and Bangladesh, like all other flood ravished countries, are now struggling to ensure that children have access to an education. When schools, especially in rural areas, are closed, children have little recourse to seek alternative educational options. Many schools remain partially underwater, leaving stagnate waters that would place children at risk of disease and drowning are large factors in the prevention of access to schools. “There has been a 20 percent drop in attendance.”, however local governments and aid agencies are searching for interim solutions, in addition to more sustainable options when repairs and rebuilding begins.
In Guinea the Cholera epidemic is multiplying despite intense efforts to curb the disease. “Almost 1,800 people have been affected by a cholera outbreak in Guinea which has caused 67 deaths, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Conakry.”
Millennium celebrations to target malaria control to begin in Ethiopia on the 12th of September. Celebrations will begin with the 20 million treated mosquito bed nets being delivered to families free of charge. The use of such nets, can dramatically reduce malaria, when used correctly and regularly, with replacements as needed. “Malaria is responsible for 40 percent of an estimated 344,000 deaths among children under five years.”
