July 10: The State of the World’s Children Report 2008 and the “mother and child health handbook of Bhutan” were launched yesterday by the Health Minister Lyonpo Zangley Dukpa.

The state of the world’s children report 2008 focuses on child survival- examining the current state of child survival and primary health care for mothers, infants and children.

The mother and child health handbook provides advice for mothers on what they have to eat and what they have to feed their children and maternal care.

Speaking at the launch, the Health Minister Lyonpo Zangley Dukpa said globally approximately 25,000 children die every day before their fifth birthday. He said a majority of these children die from preventable and treatable disease like pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and measles. He said these diseases are caused by malnutrition, lack of safe drinking water and sanitation.

Lyonpo Zangley Dukpa said that the shortage of medical professionals, expensive health care and emergence of non communicable diseases are some of the problems faced here in Bhutan. He said that the newly elected government is committed to accord higher priority to the social sector.

Dr. Gepke Hingst, the UNICEF representative in Bhutan said as far as the under-five child mortality rate is concerned, Bhutan is doing well compared to some of the SAARC countries. However she said Bhutan still needs to improve to meet the Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality.

She said it is important to advocate on safe delivery at health centers than delivering at home where there is a chance of women dying of excessive bleeding. She said the delivery at the health center will reduce the child mortality rate.

The Communications Minister Lyonpo Nandala Rai, the members of the parliament, senior government officials, representatives from the international agencies, teachers and students were present during the launch.