Grenada is currently working towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. To achieve the targets for the reduction of child mortality, which forms MDG 4, Grenada should reduce underfive deaths per 1,000 live births to seven, and increase measles immunisation to 100 per cent by 2015. In 2012 under-five mortality stood at 14 deaths per 1,000 live births, and measles immunisation at 94 per cent. This suggests that some progress is required if Grenada is to achieve MDG 4 by 2015.
The 2013 MDG progress report for Grenada provides suggestions from civil society organisations on potential methods of improving health care in the country, and achieving those goals laid out in the millennium development framework. For MDG 4, while there has been an improvement in child mortality rates, it is suggested that further focus needs to be applied to early childhood care and development in order to more adequately address child mortality rates.
The global MDG 5 target for maternal health is to reduce the number of women who die in pregnancy and childbirth by three quarters between 1990 and 2015. When applied to Grenada, maternal mortality should fall to nine per 100,000 live births. This figure stood at 24 in 2011, indicating that the target is unlikely to be met by 2015. Part of the goal stipulates that 100 per cent of births must be attended by a skilled health professional. In the period 2007-12 this figure stood at 99 per cent, so this target is virtually achieved.
The maternal health goal is on track to be achieved by 2015, however the 2013 MDG progress report for Grenada suggests that further improvements in maternal mortality could be made if further efforts were focused on educating Grenadians about contraceptives, in order to combat widespread misunderstandings and stigmas concerning contraceptive use.
MDG 6 aims for a reduction in the prevalence of HIV, malaria and other diseases. The contribution of major communicable diseases to total mortality in Grenada is low. Malaria has already been eradicated in the country, and incidences of tuberculosis (TB) and mortality from TB (when mortality data excludes cases co-morbid with HIV) are also estimated to be on the decline. Grenada has made considerable progress towards achieving MDG 6. There is insufficient information from international agencies to confirm the country’s progress on this goal with regard to HIV/AIDS.
The 2013 MDG progress report for Grenada highlights the emergence of new initiatives to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV infections in Grenada. There are also reports of co-operation between the private sector, trade unions and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in a bid to address HIV/AIDS in the workplace. The main issues the country faces regarding HIV/AIDS is inconsistencies in the supply of medication.
Non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and respiratory diseases are beginning to pose a major challenge to health efforts in Grenada. The rise of such diseases is likely exacerbated by poverty and poor diet in poor communities. In the post-2015 development agenda, the importance of lifestyle changes to combat the rise of such diseases is likely to feature high on Grenada’s health development plans.
