World losing the war on virulent, preventable childhood diseases

Second, the global economy and many individual developing country economies are in deep distress. This lessens the likelihood they will invest in low visibility activities despite very high returns.

Third, there is both donor and recipient fatigue. Donors are tired of being asked to give more even though gains are measurable, while recipients often get tired of having to ask for more.

What needs to be done to save more children? We need a balanced immunisation investment strategy that reinforces routine immunisation, achieves existing initiatives to eradicate polio and reduce measles deaths by 95 per cent.

Mr Jimmy Carter is a former US president, while Mr Kofi Annan is a former UN secretary-general.