International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A recent drop in child mortality in some parts of Nicaragua has been commended by a charity group.

According to Save the Children, a child's chances of surviving in those places where it has joined forces with the country's health ministry have improved significantly in the last three years.

Indeed, head of the group Jasmine Whitbread told the Nicaragua Dispatch that child mortality rates have fallen by 50 per cent in these locations.

"These were children who were dying from preventable illness, pneumonia and diarrhoea," she commented.

"With simple interventions you can stop children from dying."

Ms Whitbread said a community-based response involving volunteer health workers can be particularly effective.

She added that in this day and age, there is "no reason" why children in Nicaragua "should be dying".

According to the World Health Organization, just over nine per cent of the country's gross domestic product goes towards healthcare.

Posted by Alexandra George