Despite slight improvements in other maternal and child health indicators, the neonatal mortality rate in Somalia has remained stubbornly high at 39 per 1000 live births. Recent United Nations reports rank the country as number four in the list of the 10 riskiest countries to be born in. However, reduced conflicts in most parts of Somalia give hope that with commitment and targeted focus from all stakeholders, the country can significantly bring down this high neonatal mortality rate.
The Federal Republic of Somalia is fully committed to improving the health indicators of mothers and newborns. The development of this Somalia Every Newborn Action Plan is a demonstration of this commitment. Further, the country is also in the process of developing a RMNCAH-N strategic plan which also prioritises newborn health response. Through this plan, accountability mechanisms will be established all levels of service delivery to ensure newborns survive, thrive and live to achieve their full potential.
To be with or near the rest of the World in 2030 at the close of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the Somalia Every Newborn Action Plan (SENAP) sets the ambitious but achievable target of reducing the neonatal mortality rate from the high of 39 to 30 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births by 2023. As part of the development of this plan, we conducted an extensive bottleneck analysis to identify the barriers to access and utilize high impact newborn health interventions.
To address these bottlenecks, the plan has developed innovative and evidence-based solutions to ensure availability and utilization of high impact interventions for newborn health. Through this Somalia Every Newborn Action Plan, the Ministry of Health appeals to all partners to commit to, align and support implementation of the plan. The Ministry of Health commits to provide the required leadership, coordinate the partners and provide the required enabling environment for the smooth implementation of this plan.
Somalia: Every Newborn Action Plan to improve newborn health indicators in the country