First meeting of the South-East Asia region expert group on child health and development : a report: WHO/SEARO, New Delhi, India, 20-22 August 2008

Abstract

Member States of the WHO South-East Asia (‎SEA)‎ Region are committed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals that include the goal of reducing under-five child mortality by twothirds of the level in 1990 by the year 2015. In spite of impressive declines in under-five mortality rates in the past two decades; the SEA Region still accounts for about 3 million of the global 10 million deaths of children under the age of five years annually. A South-East Asia Regional Expert Group on Child Health and Development has been established to provide guidance to the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office and Member States in the Region to strengthen child health initiatives. The Expert Group will also provide guidance in developing a regional strategy for child health and development; provide technical advice on effectively improving delivery of neonatal and child health interventions; suggest mechanisms for addressing information gaps; suggest priorities for research; and provide guidance for improving demand for child health services. This publication is an account of the deliberations of the First Meeting of the South-East Asia Regional Expert Group on Child Health and Development.