Page 82 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

Despite the fact that 2 million children a year (most of them under 5
years of age) die from illnesses caused by contaminated drinking
water, the world remains unable to ensure clean water and good health
conditions. 8
- More than 20 million babies (one in five) are born underweight
(under 2.5 kilos). This is the major reason why every year 4 million babies
die before they are a month old. Being born underweight increases by 50%
the risks of contracting diabetes, cancer, and heart disease in the future. 9
- In the developing countries, 30 million babies do not reach their
first birthday. More than 900,000 children under the age of 5 die from
measles. Every year, more than 200,000 new-born babies die of tetanus.
Every year, 370,000 die of whooping cough and 50,000 more die of tu-
berculosis. All of these illnesses can be prevented by vaccination.
- Every year, 200,000 new-born babies die of preventable illnesses
in their first month of life. 10
- 5 million babies die due to insufficient health care during preg-
nancy and labor. 11
- Every year, 2 million babies under the age of 5 die from a lack of
professional care for respiratory track infections. 12
- Every year, 400,000 babies die from pneumonia and meningitis. 13
- Due to the discontinuation of campaigns to stop the HIV/AIDS
epidemic, every year 250,000 children and young people contract this
fatal virus. 14
- AIDS, which is particularly rampant in refugee camps, has killed
3.8 million children and created 15 million orphans. 15

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