12M children likely to die

Press, 28 March 1979, Page 7

12M children likely to die

Twelve million children born last year are unlikely to survive until their first birthday because of insufficient food, clothing, health care, or housing, according to the World Health Organisation, reports NZPA-Reuter from Geneva. Millions more will survive but will have little chance of realising their full economic and social potential. Eventually they will give birth to another unhealthy generation. Last year 125 M children were bom, more than three-quarters of them in d e v e 1 o p i n g countries

where basic human needs cannot always be guaranteed. The W.H.O. said that “World Health Day” on April 7. would be dedicated to the theme “A healthy child, a sure future,” in an effort to rouse the world’s conscience to the plight of millions of children. A W.H.O. report said there would be no peace in the world until all children were wanted by their parents and cared for physically and psychologically within a stable family.