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WHO, UNICEF: ‘Far from our goal of reducing newborn deaths’
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Thirty million infants are born prematurely around the world, according to a report issued by a global coalition that includes WHO, UNICEF and other organizations. The report’s findings showed that in 2017, 2.5 million of these children died as a result of preventable causes, including prematurity, complications occurring near birth, infections and congenital conditions.
“When it comes to babies and their mothers, the right care at the right time in the right place can make all the difference,” Omar Abdi, UNICEF deputy executive director, said in a press release. “Yet, millions of small and sick babies and women are dying every year because they simply do not receive the quality care that is their right and our collective responsibility.”
According to the organizations, the launch of the Every Newborn Action Plan in 2014 coincided with a significant decline in global neonatal mortality — from 31 to 18 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2000 and 2017. However, the world is still “far from our goal of reducing newborn deaths to 12 per 1,000 or less by 2030,” they wrote in the report.
According to the report, two of every three neonatal deaths could be avoided — or 1.7 million newborns could be saved — by 2030 if $0.20 per capita was invested in low- and middle-income countries.
“For every mother and baby, a healthy start from pregnancy through childbirth and the first months after birth is essential,” Soumya Swaminathan, deputy director general for programs at WHO, said in the release. “Universal health coverage can ensure that everyone, including newborns, has access to the health services they need without facing financial hardship. Progress on newborn health care is a win-win situation: It saves lives and is critical for early child development, thus impacting families, society and future generations.” – by Katherine Bortz
Reference:
Survive and Thrive: transforming care for every small and sick newborn. https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/care-small-sick-newborns-survive-thrive/en/. Accessed December 12, 2018.
Disclosure: Infectious Diseases in Children was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures prior to publication.