India: Kanpur set for a dubious distinction

India HNN Team

In a recent annual health survey Kanpur is among the leading cities with high maternal, infant and prenatal mortality rates.

Malawi: Project reduces maternal deaths

Malawi HNN Team

Community Based Maternal Neonatal Care Programme has reduced maternal and neonatal deaths in Dowa, Malawi implementers of the project said.

WHO lauds Indian scheme to reduce neonatal mortality

India

In a neonatal health meeting held in Geneva last week, the WHO praised India’s leadership in rolling out the scheme and asked all countries recording high neonatal mortality to introduce similar interventions.

Tanzania: NGOs Hailed Over Motherhood Bill

Tanzania, United Republic of

Doctors and nurses have hailed civil society organizations that drafted the Motherhood Bill, saying it will help improve maternal and reproductive health services.

USA: HHS launches Strong Start initiative to increase healthy deliveries and reduce preterm births

To help reduce the increasing number of preterm births in America and ensure more babies are born healthy, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced more than $40 million in grants to test ways to reverse that trend, as well as a public campaign to reduce early elective deliveries.

Pregnant Women Get ‘Mama Kits’

Nigeria HNN Team

In an effort to reduce maternal mortality in the country, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has provided “mama kits’ for pregnant women to encourage ante-natal attendance.

UN, Intel Unveil ICT Initiative for Midwives

HNN Team

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the computing company Intel have unveiled a joint effort to strengthen the skills of midwives and community health workers through technology.

Rwanda: Country On Course to Reduce Infant Deaths, But Huge Task Ahead

Rwanda HNN Team

Considering all the improvements made against both malaria and pneumococcal disease, and the efforts to take better care of new born babies and under five children, Rwanda is on track to meet the 2015 target of reducing the mortality rates to 28 for infants and 50 for under-five children.

The Fight for Maternal and Child Health in Sub-Saharan Africa

Tanzania, United Republic of HNN Team

In Tanzania, attendance at prenatal clinics is over 94% but only 50% give birth at proper health facilities. It is my goal to make sure that we stay focused on the core objectives of maternal, newborn, and child health.

India: State has no data on premature births

India

The birth registers maintained by the state health department do not record the number of preterm babies born every year but groups them along with babies with low birth weigh