Among the weak and marginalised segments of Pakistani society, children are perhaps the most vulnerable.

Exposed to a multitude of ills, many a Pakistani child has to contend with several obstacles that stand in the way of a normal, healthy childhood. Hence the Supreme Court must be commended for taking up the issue of children’s health, particularly the high rates of child mortality in this country.

On Friday, taking up a suo motu notice, the chief justice asked federal and provincial health officials for an explanation as to why the state had “turned a blind eye to the disturbing health situation”.

Also read: SC takes notice of increase in child mortality

Indeed, as organs of the state are usually occupied with ‘bigger’ matters, it is welcome that the spotlight has been put on child mortality.

There have been improvements over the past two decades in this regard, but the rates of child mortality remain unacceptably high. According to Unicef figures, one in 14 children die before they turn one, while one in 11 youngsters do not survive till their fifth birthday.

The lack of clean drinking water and poor sanitation have been cited as amongst the major reasons behind these high figures. It is unfortunate that most children die from preventable illnesses and infections, while malnutrition worsens their fragile constitutions.

The state says it has action plans in place and is committed to tackling child mortality. However, the fact is that while officialdom in Pakistan is known to come up with many wonderful plans, their implementation is often found wanting.

In order to reduce child mortality rates, there must be recognition at the very top of the ruling structure that such high rates of childhood deaths are totally unacceptable; this realisation needs to be accompanied by the political will to change the existing situation.

Indeed, both the state and society must take up the challenge of improving children’s health with the same seriousness with which we talk about dealing with issues such as terrorism, the economy etc.

The necessary interventions to address the problem of child mortality — such as the provision of clean drinking water and basic health and sanitation facilities across the country — do not require a miracle or the injection of massive funds.

What they do require, apart from proper planning and oversight, is the determination to improve the health conditions of the people of Pakistan, in particular the children. The state cannot afford to take the issue lightly.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2015