Calling for better primary health care for children to achieve SDGs for child survival

Renewed investments in primary health care systems to provide essential services to all children are needed, especially for countries that are off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 3.2.1, concludes a new technical brief released ahead of the 77^th World Health Assembly. These investments should focus on improving service integration so that children receive a cohesive package of health promotion, prevention, and treatment services.

Produced by the Child Survival Action Initiative, this technical brief provides an assessment of progress on indicator set included in the Child Survival Action Plan Results Framework and has four sections:

1. A review of child mortality trends and causes of child deaths;
2. A snapshot of child nutrition;
3. An analysis of coverage of select child health and nutrition interventions, with a focus on countries that are off track for SDG 3.2.1; and
4. An explanation of how to accelerate gains in child survival through a primary health care approach and renewed global and country commitment.

Key strategies to achieve the SDGs include the Integrated Management of Newborn and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) strategy and the Global Action Plan for Prevention and Control of

Pneumonia and Diarrhoea. Continued social progress, such as in gender equality, is also essential.L POLICY AND ACTION

To find out more:PEOPLE AND COMMUNITI

• Read the technical brief
• Watch the 77^th World Health Assembly
• Read the Child Survival Action Plan Results Framework
• Learn more about Countdown’s work in global monitoring