1. MICS 2006 KEY FINDINGS on Child Health and Maternal Health Samuel Bosomprah Ministry of Health MICS Focal Point

2. Background

3. Why MICS in 2006? Baseline for next health strategy 2007- 2011 Progress made since last 2003 GDHS in service outputs and nutrition We were not expecting changes in mortality –Used MICS to confirm GDHS mortality figures

4. Sustained Investment In Nutrition Sustained Investment In Nutrition Fewer Child Malnutrition Fewer Child Death & Increased Intelligence Fewer Child Death & Increased Intelligence Stronger economy Key Message …A sustained investment in nutrition is highly likely to translate into stronger economy in the long-term because there would be intellectually productive adults

5. Adults who survive malnutrition as children are less physically and intellectually productive and suffer from high levels of chronic illness and disability UNICEF (Various years) Did you know?

6. Under-5 Mortality

7. Under-5 Mortality vs Background Xtics Looking toward the next 7 years: … which regions are likely to experience the greatest improvement? Looking toward the next 7 years: … which regions are likely to experience the greatest improvement?

8. Child mortality is an indicator of development!!! Unlikely to meet the MDGs at current pace On track?

9. Nutritional Status

10. Almost one in five children under age five in Ghana is underweight (18 percent); Nearly a quarter of children (22 percent) are stunted or too short for their age; and 5 percent are wasted or too thin for their height. How many Ghanaian children are malnourished today?

11. Malnourishment peaks at age 12-23 months; could be attributed to poor feeding practices that lead to inadequate food intake. Expected…weaning period … exposed to contamination in water, food, and the environment Malnourishment vs Age

12. Even at the earliest ages, many children are receiving liquids or foods other than breast milk. By the end of the sixth month, the percentage of children exclusively breastfed is below 12 percent. Infant Feeding Patterns by Age

13. Inequities in underweight prevalence Large urban-rural inequities exists Large urban-rural inequities exists large regional inequities exits National Average

14. Progress on Malnutrition towards the MDGs Ghana Is On Track Consolidate gains Are we on Track?

15. Child Health

16. Immunisation

17. Malaria

18. Reproductive Health

19. Skilled Supervised Delivery

20. Policy Recommendations Accelerate the Regenerative Health and Nutrition Programme More inter-sectoral Action – Poverty reduction, Nutrition, Education, Water, Sanitation, Roads, and Housing More inter-sectoral Action – Poverty reduction, Nutrition, Education, Water, Sanitation, Roads, and Housing Targeted actions at regions pulling down the country and urban poor Scale-up HIRD

21. Thanks