New global targets to prevent maternal deaths (WHO)

WHO News HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization.  Access to a ‘continuum of care’ needed, before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth. Today the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNFPA launched five critical targets to help countries get back on track in reducing preventable maternal deaths, and for tracking progress against the Sustainable … Continued

Estimating the potential impact of COVID-19 on mothers and newborns in low- and middle-income countries

Medium.com HNN Team

This article was originally published by Health Policy Plus As COVID-19 spreads, wealthy countries are struggling with an influx of patients requiring screening, testing, and intensive care. In addition to national calls for social distancing, providers cancelled elective surgeries, shifted to virtual care where possible, and set up temporary hospitals to handle increasing demand. Countries … Continued

Maternal, newborn health at risk in KP’s Shangla due to unregistered clinics, unqualified medics

DAWN Pakistan HNN Team

This article was originally posted on DAWN In November, Attaur Rehman’s 34-year-old sister, who was a mother of six, went into labour. In an effort to get her immediate medical attention, her husband rushed her to a basic health unit where a lady health visitor (LHV) was assigned the case. Recounting his sister’s ordeal, Rehman … Continued

Midwives are a Key Part of any Health Workforce Dream Team

New Security Beat HNN Team

This article was originally published by the New Security Beat “Midwifery is a fix, it is not an add-on,” said Franka Cadée, President of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) at the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25. The World Health Organization designated 2020 the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife in recognition of the invaluable … Continued

Mothers and newborns pay the ‘price’ during Zimbabwe medics strike

PRI Zimbabwe HNN Team

This article was originally published by The World   In September, over 500 doctors under the banner of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) went on strike over poor working conditions and inadequate salaries, but it wasn’t until last month that nurses in Harare joined them — further crippling Zimbabwe’s already deteriorating health sector. As a … Continued

Train more midwives to save lives

The National Papua New Guinea HNN Team

This story was originally published by The National Disturbing figures were released in March this year that Papua New Guinea has the lowest number of skilled birth attendants and needs 6,000 more to meet global standard. The 2019 Maternal and Newborn Health Task Force report says high maternal and newborn mortality in the country is … Continued

No training, no gloves: Zimbabwe’s desperate childbirths

AP Zimbabwe HNN Team

This article was originally published by AP By Farao Mutsaka When her contractions became unbearably painful, 18-year-old Perseverance Kanyoza rushed to a maternity hospital in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. But the doors were closed amid a weekslong strike by public health workers. With no money for private care, panic set in. A hospital guard directed her … Continued

Building Capacity of Six African Countries to Strengthen Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition

WHO HNN Team

This story was originally published by the World Health Organization Entebbe, 29th October 2019 – The Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted a five-day workshop to build the capacity of program managers and WHO country office staff to better manage and improve service delivery in the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, … Continued

Maternal, newborn health improves in rural Ethiopia but inequities still exist

Addis Standard Ethiopia HNN Team

This story was originally published by the Addis Standard. Community-based health programs in parts of rural Ethiopia, Nigeria, and India were successful in improving health care for mothers and newborns, but inequities still exist, according to a new study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). “Our findings have both an optimistic and a pessimistic interpretation, … Continued

Tanzania: Digital health reduces maternal, infant mortality rates in Geita

IPP Media (Tanzania) Tanzania, United Republic of HNN Team

This article was originally published by IPP Media (Tanzania) here. By Felister Peter The use of digital health system in Lake Zone’s Geita region is posed to immensely contribute into reduction of neonatal and maternal mortality, thanks to USAID BoreshaAfya project for increased access to health services, information and improved patient connectivity with skilled health … Continued