Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

More action to prevent child mortality urged in Vanuatu

Posted at 23:24 on 24 August, 2008 UTC

The United Nation’s children’s fund is urging Vanuatu to continue to focus on child health to keep improving its child health statistics.

Under-five mortality rates in Vanuatu have decreased compared with figures a decade ago.

In 2006 there were 36 deaths per 1,000 live births where as in 1990 the figure sat at 62.

UNICEF Representative, Dr Isiye Ndombi, told the Vanuatu Daily Post the nations has done quite well in terms of health achievements but may need to have child-focused prevention of non-communicable illnesses.

The paper says Vanuatu is committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals but needs to improve essential health services to reduce infant and under-five mortality by two-thirds by the 2015 deadline.