31 December 2007
Bangladesh
A recent evaluation shows under five mortality fell by nearly 40% between 1985-89 and 1995-99. Improved immunisation coverage, including DFID’s £7 million contribution for polio, has averted over two million child deaths in the last two decades, in a cost effective manner (8p17).
India
DFID has committed £252 million (2005-11) to the second phase of the National Reproductive and Child Health Programme - RCH2 - that aims to reduce social and geographic disparities in access and use of reproductive and child health services. The programme has led to increases in the proportion of institutional births; in the state of Madhya Pradesh from 41% in 1998-99 to 51% in 2005-06; in Orissa State from 23% to 39%, and in West Bengal from 40% to 53%. Improved uptake of services has been aided by provision of transport for women to reach health facilities for childbirth, and the use of financial incentives. Newborn health has been improved as well as mothers health.
Global
In September 2005, the UK and other donors launched the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm). The IFFIm donors are making long-term commitments over 20 years which will allow the Vaccine Fund to raise some US$4bn for immunisation programmes. This could save the lives of five million children by 2015, and a further five million after that (16p.158).
Kenya
In 2005, DFID committed a further £19.6 million to a programme providing 11 million bed nets treated with insecticide. They will be available to over 75% of the vulnerable population by 2007/08, allowing them to sleep safely and free from the threat of malaria. It is estimated that the lives of 167,000 children in Kenya will be saved as a result of this programme (17).