Rumishael Shoo is Regional Advisor of Child Survival and Development, with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office. He also served with the World Health Organization as Coordinator for southern Sudan and a medical officer for Somalia. Dr. Shoo held various positions in health planning, health management and teaching, and served in various capacities in health with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Reducing Child Mortality – The Challenges in Africa
In 1960, Africa contributed to approximately 14 per cent of the global child mortality burden. Today, sub-Saharan Africa alone accounts for almost 50 per cent of child mortality, although it constitutes only 11 per cent of the world population. If Millennium Development Goal 4 -- reduce child mortality by two thirds -- is to be achieved, Africa has the challenge of accelerating the narrowing of this gap.