(CNN Philippines) — Metro Manila was among the cities in the world to cut child mortality rates among urban poor, according to a global index released by Save the Children on Tuesday (May 5).
The Urban Disadvantage: State of the World’s Mothers 2015 global index report revealed that in the last 20 years, child survival rates among the urban poor in Metro Manila have improved in comparison to other developing countries.
“Manila have made real progress in addressing the health needs of the poorest families,” according to the Save the Children report.
Between 1993 and 2008, child mortality rates among the urban poor were cut in half from 81 to 38 deaths per 1,000 live births, said the report.
The Philippines’ under-5 mortality rate in 2015 is 29.9 per 1,000 live births.
The National Capital Region has achieved about a 4% reduction in under-5 mortality per year from 1998 to 2013 — over 40 percent total reduction.
“Metro Manila has done a better job than most mega cities at dramatically reducing child survival inequities.”
Save the Children attributed Metro Manila’s improvement from the improved quality of services, public-private partnerships, structural reforms, and health care innovations introduced to the local government units and sustained involvement of civil society in maternal and child health care programs.
It also recognized the government’s nationwide program “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)”.
Philippines: Still the 105th best place for mothers
In this year’s country ranking of the State of the World’s Mothers report, which ranks the well-being of mothers and children, Philippines maintained its place from last year at number 105 out of 179 countries. behind Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia in South East Asia. The country is just ahead of Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
The best countries for mothers are Norway, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, and Sweden. Meanwhile, the worst countries for mothers are Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Central African Republic, Mali, and Niger.
