1.4m children under five die a year across globe

Around 1.4 million children under five across the globe die every year due to lack of immunisation, said the speakers at a press conference yesterday.
The press conference was organised by Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on its premises with the representatives of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and Unicef.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, one of the leading hotel and leisure companies, has been carrying out 'Check out for children' programme with Unicef to help assist Unicef's immunisation programme worldwide for the last 10 years.
Dhaka Sheraton Hotel joined the programme a few years back, said the organisers.
The representatives of Starwood have come to Bangladesh to observe the ongoing immunisation programmes of Unicef, they added.
Sheraton General Manager Trevor MacDonald said 'Check out for Children' is a global partnership between Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and Unicef.
The occupants of Starwood across the world are invited to donate $ 1 or its equivalent in local currency upon their check-out of the hotels to donate for the immunisation programme of Unicef worldwide, he added.
Dr Iyorlumun Uhaa, chief of health and nutrition of Unicef Bangladesh, said the check-out for children is an example of how small changes can make a big difference in the lives of children.
Voluntary contribution of a dollar by the hotel guests while checking out accumulated over $ 16 million over the past 10 years, he said, adding the fund raised by Starwood Hotels Worldwide significantly contributed to Unicef's immunisation programme.
"Bangladesh ranks among the developing countries where immunisation rates increased substantially during this decade, and we need to keep up the work by reaching those children who remain beyond the reach of routine immunisation," he further said.
Hwee Peng Yeo, director of Corporate Communications (Asia Pacific) of Starwood, said they are delighted to be here and to see the Unicef immunisation activities in Dhaka and Bogra.
MacDonald said like previous years, Dhaka Sheraton would organise an event on November 9 where famous musical band Nagar Bauls (James) will perform and the sale proceeds from the event will be utilised to immunise children.
Carolyn Hardy of Unicef Australia also spoke on the occasion.