More than half of under-5 deaths could be prevented with simple, affordable interventions - does this still hold? (2)

7 July, 2025

Dear CHIFA

Could any CHIFA member hazard a figure for the cost of prevention of one under-5 death? Where HealthProm works in Afghanistan infant mortality rate in the year to end of March was little changed, though with reduction of immunisation rates, we can expect it to rise. But under-5 mortality after the first year rose enormously and some of those deaths were from electrocution, which could be prevented by measures as cheap as insulation tape and public education.

Best wishes

Stewart Britten

CHIFA profile:

Stewart Britten is advisor to the British NGO, HealthProm, on its project to reduce maternal and child deaths in Northern Afghanistan. He has worked for the reduction of institutionalisation of babies and small children in Russia by introduction of parent support programmes. stewart.britten AT zen.co.uk