A recent report by World Vision (WV) – a non-government global aid organization has revealed that almost a third of the children under age five who die each year could be saved if low-cost, interventions such as safe water, hygiene and bed nets are availed.

According to a statement from WV, annually 8.8 million children die before age five due to preventable causes including lack of maternal and newborn care.

The Health Director of WV Rwanda, Dr. Olufemi Owoeye, has therefore called for increased allocation of resources to preventive health measures for mothers and children, particularly at the community level.

"There must be a priority to make rapid progress against the top child killers of pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria. More strategic use of funding and resources would also keep millions of children from dying before they reach their fifth birthdays,” Owoeye said.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health and Institute of Statistics show that for every 1000 children who survive to age one, 43 do not reach their fifth birthday.

"The truth is politics, not poverty, is what is killing these children. For many politicians, saving infants and children from illness and death is simply not a priority. Our campaign will mobilize and equip people worldwide to hold their leaders to account for ensuring child health now,” WV International President, Kevin Jenkins said in a statement.

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