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Prelude to this blog “Healthy children indicate healthy society“
Wars bring worst aspects of any society. Wars also disproportionately affect children, as households are disrupted and schools get destroyed. End of First World War was similarly a turning point for child-health. Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton, were English social reformers who set up “Save the children fund” in UK in 1919. Aim of this organisation to improve child health, education and economic opportunities. Under patronage of ICRC (Red-Cross), Jebb and Buxton also helped form International save the children union, with Geneva as its head quarter. In 1924, these organisations successfully lobbied League of Nations to adopt Declarations of the rights of the child. This first international declaration reaffirmed five basic tenets of child-survival:
- Provide children with means for normal development.
- A hungry child be fed, sick must be nursed, delinquent must be reclaimed, and the orphan be sheltered.
- Child must be the first to receive relief in times of distress.
- Child must be protected against every form of exploitation.
- The child must be brought up so as to develop talents to serve mankind.
Then came horrors of Second World War, and a renewed need to save children. Declaration of rights of child was endorsed by United Nations in 1946, and and formally adopted in 1959. In 1946, with efforts of a Polish physician Ludwik Rajchman, UNICEF was formed. Its initial work was to rehabilitate children in war-torn countries, and improve their health and education. In 1965, UNICEF was awarded Nobel Peace Prize for this work.
Child survival comes to forefront of health-care
In 1970s important child survival measures were initiated. As global small-pox vaccination campaign was nearing success, in 1974 expanded program on immunisation (EPI) was launched. Goal of EPI was to vaccinate every child in the world. In 1978 world health organisation adopted Alma-Ata declaration – popularising a global goal “Health for all“. This declaration focuses on primary-care to improve overall health. UNESCO declared 1979 as international year of the child, renewing focus on child survival strategies.
In 1982, UNICEF launched Child survival and Development revolution. It has four tenets – Growth monitoring, Oral rehydration, Breast feeding and Immunization. These are known by acronym GOBI. In the coming years, various countries brought out postage stamps with these themes.
Success of immunisation was first seen with Small Pox, that was declared eradicated from the world on 8th May 1980. At that time Global vaccination efforts were focussed on Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus, Measles and of course Poliomyelitis.
In 1980s, close on heals of small pox eradication, we expanded Immunization efforts to eradicate Poliomyelitis. From 350,000 recorded cases in 1988, in 2021 there were only six cases. Currently polio is awaiting eradication. Polio vaccination has saved lives of countless children.
Child survival is currently a major goal of global development. Reduction of child and maternal mortality is an important aspect of global goals – Sustainable development goals (SDGs) and previously Millennium development goals (MDGs).
