60,000 children die in South Africa annually

60,000 children die in South Africa annually, according to a new report released this week.

As the Mail and Guardian writes, "some of the major causes of childhood death listed in the report include diarrhoea, lower respiratory tract infections, conditions associated with HIV/Aids and malnutrition."

The report notes that, even though South Africa has "the correct health care policies and guidelines, it is struggling to implement them, causing thousands of unnecessary deaths."

It is important to remember that South Africa is the richest country on the African continent.

If 60,000 children die in South Africa annually, what to expect in Zimbabwe, Sudan, Somalia, and other African countries?!

Comments: 11

Kathryn E. Aug 26, 2009, 2:09am EDT

A major health tragedy that is caused by poverty, and eradicated only by better irrigration, sanitation and health care, i.e. an uptick in the standard of living, or standards of livings for all nations for which these causes contribute to such.

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Leah Christensen Aug 26, 2009, 2:25am EDT

How extremely sad and scary.

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Jack E. Aug 26, 2009, 6:59am EDT

Global warming is effecting Africa and making more and more arid land each year. The countries responsible for the breakup of the African states for their own personal gain do nothing but lip service to the plight of all African people.

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Diane "stormyz" B. Aug 26, 2009, 8:13am EDT

That is so tragic.

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Catherine J. Aug 26, 2009, 8:34am EDT

The Catholic Church can be easily accused of being partially responsible for these deaths by continuing to ban the use of condoms among African Catholics. In no way do condoms destroy the life of a fertilized egg but they can help stop the spread of HIV. How awful to split hairs instead of saving the lives of children,

Alan West Aug 26, 2009, 5:48pm EDT

I agree with that to a certain extent.

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Thomas Millington Aug 26, 2009, 10:52am EDT

This is atrocious, and abomination. The nations of the world must band together to remedy this situation instead of bickering over trivialities.

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Savo Heleta Aug 26, 2009, 11:15am EDT

This has nothing to do with colonialism, religion, or the Catholic Church. It's the inability of the current South African government to implement its policies.

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Katharyne T. Aug 26, 2009, 4:04pm EDT

As thier goverment sits back sucking down steaks,, makes me sick

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Alan West Aug 26, 2009, 5:49pm EDT

People really shouldn't be having children unless they can afford to take care of them, or allow the government to take care of them like they do in the USA

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Dorothy H. Aug 26, 2009, 9:33pm EDT

How many are born annually? Anyone know?

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60,000 children die in South Africa annually

Comments: 11

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