[pronut-hiv] 'South Asia battling high infant mortality, malnutrition, HIV'

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'South Asia battling high infant mortality, malnutrition, HIV' 
 
Press Trust of India
Houston, July 29, 2005 

One out of every three child deaths in the world takes place in South Asia, a senior UNICEF official stated.

"Two-thirds of the malnourished children live in the region and infant mortality is still high there," said Deputy Director Rima Salah at the launch of the report 'Human Development in South Asia 2004: The Health Challenge' at the Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre on Wednesday.

"In a region where high mortality and morbidity rates battle to rob children and women of their full potential every day, the focus on health could not be more appropriate or timely," she added.

The report captures the strong link between poverty, gender inequity and the poor survival rates and well-being of the region's children and women.

"Often a poor child will not be immunised or go to school, and will most likely be malnourished, lack access to clean water and be prey to exploitative practices that jeopardise their well-being and most of them will be girls," Dr Salah said.

Talking about HIV prevalence in South Asia, she said that out of 5.2 million HIV positive people of the region, 5.1 million live in India. Only South Africa has more HIV patients than India.

However, efforts are on to check the epidemic. For e.G, there are now 300 centres offering programmes to prevent HIV infection in young people or through mother-child transmission, Dr. Salah said. MORE

UNICEF sponsored/initiated immunisation campaigns -- like Pulse Polio in India -- have led to near-eradication of polio, neonatal tetanus elimination and measles reduction for which South Asia could be "justifiably proud", Dr Salah said.

"Our hope is that publication of this report will strengthen the process of dialogue for action with all stakeholders in human development and that these discussions will be translated into more concrete policies, strategies and funding for the improvement of the lives of the women and children in Asia," she said.


http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7087_1445281,008700000012.htm