IMPHAL, November 18: As part of its global campaign, the Imphal Bal Swasthya Project, World Vision India organised a campaign on “Child Health Now- Global Week of Action 2012” today at the premise of the United Youth Club, Lairikyengbam Leikei.
This program is being conducted November 13 to 20 to raise awareness on preventable child’s death.
Today’s campaign was organised in collaboration with the United Youths’ Club, UYC.
A group of 350 students came together to participate in the ‘Count me in – Survive 5’ by raising their hands to show support for improving healthcare of women and children.
The function was attended by Lok Sabha, MP Thangso Baite, Addl SP Imphal East M Rajen Singh MPS, president UYC K Bhogendrajit Singh as chief guest, guest of honour and president, respectively.
In his speech, Thangso Baite said that India child mortality (below 5 years) is very low in context with the world population.
He elaborated that it is fortunate that the death rate of children below the age of 5 years in Manipur is very low comparatively; however we still need to take precautions for the safety of children.
Thangso Baite said that the parents must undergo regular health check-ups as precautionary measures to stay healthy.
Programme Officer, Imphal Bal Swasthya Projec, World Vision India Loli Mao, said that the organization aim to symbolically raise 18 lakh hands for child health representing the number of children lost in India alone to mostly preventable diseases.
Head of CHN India, World Vision India Isaac Newton said the number of children dying under five years of age has notably declined globally – from 1.24 crores in 1990 to over 70 lakh in 2010 – however much more needs to be done in India, he added.
CEO and National Director World Vision India Dr Jayakumar Christian pointed out that Child Health Now is not just about a week of action but there should be opportunity to promote and drive sustained dialogue and action.
We need action not just in the corridors of power but also across levels so that it positively impacts the poor at the grassroots level across India and the world.