News | Paediatric WellBeing

Newly released study highlights the alarming reality of child mortality and malnutrition in South Africa

9 September 2024.10:30
 

South Africa faces a heartbreaking reality: 1 in every 25 children born in the country will not live to see their 5th birthday. This staggering statistic is compounded by the fact that 51% of child deaths in hospitals are linked to moderate or severe acute malnutrition.

These findings were part of the recently launched Child Gauge Report, unveiled at the University of Cape Town (UCT) last week.

The report paints a bleak picture of the current state of child well-being in South Africa. Among the alarming data is the revelation that over one-third of children live in poverty, and more than 25% of children under five suffer from stunting, a condition resulting from chronic malnutrition that impairs growth and cognitive development. The developmental milestones for early childhood are also concerning, with only half of the four- and five-year-olds enrolled in early learning programs meeting developmental benchmarks.

Experts who contributed to the report have labelled the situation a national crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for both governmental and community-level interventions. They argue that child development must be prioritized if South Africa is to break the cycle of poverty and secure long-term national growth. Key recommendations include adjusting the child support grant to align with food poverty thresholds and providing income support for pregnant women to ensure better prenatal nutrition and maternal care.

The report underscores that efforts to address the crisis must be multi-faceted. It calls for a comprehensive approach that includes both top-down policy initiatives and grassroots community involvement.

Specifically, five key interventions have been identified as critical to reversing the current trends:

• Maternal and Child Healthcare: Improving access to essential health services for mothers and children, including antenatal care, vaccinations, and treatment of common childhood illnesses.
• Nutrition: Ensuring children have access to adequate nutrition to prevent malnutrition and its long-term impacts on growth and development.
• Early Learning Opportunities: Expanding access to quality early childhood development programs that promote cognitive, emotional, and social growth.
• Family Support: Strengthening support systems for families, especially in poverty-stricken areas, to provide stable, nurturing environments for children.
• Specialized Aid for Vulnerable Children: Providing targeted support for children with additional needs, such as those living with disabilities or in child-headed households.

The experts behind the report insist that addressing these issues is not only a moral imperative but also essential for the country's future. Investing in children today is an investment in South Africa's development, and failure to act will only perpetuate the cycle of poverty, inequality, and underachievement.

In conclusion, the data is clear: we can, and we must, do better for our children. By addressing the root causes of child mortality and malnutrition and implementing the recommended interventions, South Africa has the potential to improve outcomes for its youngest and most vulnerable citizens.


Access the Report here

Child Guage Report  2024: Early childhood development