Malawi has become one of the 54 countries in the world that have signed a renewed promise to end preventable deaths of children under the age of five.

Unicef Executive Director Anthony Lake said in an interview after the closure of the Call to Action meeting in Washington DC, USA, that it was encouraging for Malawi to be one of the first countries to make a commitment to reduce child mortality.

"It's encouraging that almost every speaker at this conference has mentioned Malawi as one of the success stories in reducing child deaths," he said.

Lake said the development should give Malawi strength to do more in ensuring that the figure is reduced further.

Secretary for Health Willie Samute said it was pleasing to attend a meeting where his country was regarded highly.

"Almost every speaker at the conference talked about progress we have made on reducing child deaths.

"As a country, we are committed to end preventable deaths of children, that is why we have signed the renewed promise on reducing maternal, newborn and child deaths," he said.

He, however, expressed the need for stakeholders to work together to address the problem saying the Ministry of Health alone could not fulfill the pledge of ending preventable deaths.

"The countdown report shows that Malawi has not done well in water and sanitation, therefore if we work together we can end preventable deaths," he said.

Samute also said the ministry of education has a part to play by ensuring that the girl child is kept at school.

He said there was political will in Malawi to ensure that the pledge is fulfilled.

Malawi Health Equity Network (MEHN) said Malawi has a long way to go on sanitation.

"There is need for the country to invest more on water and sanitation. Cases of diarrhea might be on the increase because most children do not have access to safe drinking water.

"The progress in reduction of child deaths is largely attributed to increased investment and funding from development partners for interventions such as immunization, malaria prevention and control. If such investments can be replicated in water and sanitation, the nation will deal away with diarrhoea, one of the major causes of child deaths yet preventable," she said.

The meeting attracted world leaders from non-governmental organisations, civil society, donors, religious institutions and various ministers and officials.