Health and health status of children in Serbia and the desired Millennium Development Goals

Abstract

Aim: Children represent the future, and ensuring their healthy growth and development should be a prime concern of all societies. Better health for all children
is one of the leading objectives of the National Plan of Action for Children and a key
element of the tailored Millennium Development Goals for Serbia.

Methods: Our analysis was based on relevant literature and available information from the primary and secondary sources and databases. We analyzed health status of children that can be illustrated by indicators of child and infant mortality, morbidity,
and nutritional status.

Results: There has been a significant reduction in the mortality rates at the national
level, particularly with regard to infants and children under five years of age. However, the current mortality rate of Roma children is still three times as high as the Millennium Goal set at the national level for Serbia. Most deaths of children under the
age of five are due to preterm birth complications, congenital anomalies, birth
asphyxia and trauma, pneumonia and sepsis. The rate of malnourished children
among the poor and in Roma settlements is twice as high as in the general population of Serbian children. A growing number of obese children was also noted in the Roma population.

Conclusion: Political awareness, commitment and leadership are required to ensure
that child health receives receive the attention and the resources needed to accelerate the progress of Serbia.