The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has acknowledged Sri Lanka's lead in important healthcare indicators such as child mortality rate, prevention of communicable diseases, maternal mortality rate, life expectancy and emphasis on primary healthcare in 'The State of World Population 2010’ Report released yesterday (14).

According to the report, Sri Lanka is at the forefront in providing quality health services in the South Asian region, recording the highest rates in its significant indicators.

All other countries in South Asia; India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives are behind Sri Lanka with regard to these health and social indicators.

The Infant Mortality Rate per thousand births in India in 2010 was 52, Pakistan 61, Bhutan 41, Nepal 38 and Maldives 20 while Sri Lanka had only 15 deaths.

The Maternal Mortality rate per 100,000 births stood at a high 830 in Nepal while in India it was 450, Bangladesh 570, Pakistan 320, Maldives 120 with Sri Lanka only 58 deaths.

The life expectancy in India respectively for male and female was 62 / 66 years, Bangladesh 68 years for both, Pakistan 66 / 67, Nepal 66 / 68, Maldives 70 / 74 and Sri Lanka 71 and 74 years.

The country with the most bleak indicators in the world, Afghanistan records 152 infant deaths per 1,000 births and 1,800 maternal deaths per 100,000. The life expectancy in Afghanistan is only 44 for both sexes.

According to the report, the Infant Mortality rate, Maternal Morality rate and Life Expectancy in Sweden, Australia and Switzerland stood at 3, 3 and 79 / 83, 4, 4 and 79 / 84 and 4, 5, and 79 / 84 respectively .

'The State of World Population 2010’ was released to coincide with the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations Security Council's landmark Resolution 1325, which aimed to put a stop to sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflict and to encourage greater participation by women in peace building initiatives.

“Governments need to seize opportunities arising out of post-conflict recovery or emerging from natural disasters to increase the chances that countries are not just rebuilt, but built back better and renewed, with women and men on equal footing, with rights and opportunities for all and a foundation for development and security in the long run,” the report said.

Full report : http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2010/web/en/pdf/EN_SOWP10.pdf