Child survival through immunisation, nutrition
and sanitation

The focus is on improving the health and nutrition of children, and increasing the number of children who survive their first five years.

Immunisation against common diseases:
Illnesses can be prevented and lives saved through cost-effective actions including increased immunisation rates. Children are immunised against common, preventable illnesses such as measles, polio, diphtheria and whooping cough. They also receive preventive medical treatment, such as deworming medicines and vitamin supplements, and are given mosquito nets to protect against malaria. A special ‘Sick New Born Care Unit’ model clinic has been scaled up to include 213 clinics already operational and 291 clinics are due to open in 15 states, funded by the Government of India.

Nutritious food saves children’s lives:
Proven, low-cost actions have a big impact on child survival. Encouraging mothers to exclusively breast-feed their babies for the first six months of life greatly reduces infant mortality. More nutritious food for children 7-24 months, vitamin A supplements, use of iodised salt and prevention of anemia, are all important and effective health interventions.

Safe water and better hygiene:
Both children and adults learn about the importance of basic hygiene and sanitation. Simple but effective measures, like washing hands with soap, are combined with increased access to toilets at home and in schools. Children who learn about hygiene in school introduce new healthy habits into their families, and entire communities start to change for the better.