A child whose mother has access to the care and services she needs during pregnancy and childbirth, a child born into a community with a competently staffed and adequately stocked primary health care centre, where information about nutrition and help for common ailments and infections are available, is a child off to a good start. This is by no means an exorbitant amount, particularly in light of the benefits that would accrue, but it is one that developing countries on their own could not muster. There are many reasons why countries do not honour the most basic rights of children.
Corruption drains the coffers in many others.
And in far too many, the spiral of increasing and self-perpetuating debt strains already threadbare budgets and translates into disaster for children. There is no question that the resources exist, but too little money is allotted for children's survival, growth and development, and too few people understand the implications for all societies of missed opportunities in early childhood. When care in early childhood is made a priority, much can be achieved. The accomplishments of the past 10 years are significant. Immunization alone saves the lives of 2.5 million children each year.