Nine countries commit to halve maternal and newborn deaths in health facilities
New WHO and UNICEF-supported network to improve care for mothers and babies On February 14 of 2017, 9 countries – Bangladesh, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda – committed to halving preventable deaths of pregnant women and newborns in their health facilities within the next 5 years. Through a new Network … Continued
‘Sometimes the baby dies, sometimes the mother’: Life and death in Yemen’s hospitals
The infant was barely breathing when his uncle brought him to the hospital in a cardboard box. He was wrapped in a blue towel, and wads of cotton were stuffed around his frail body to keep him warm. Muhammad Haithem was just hours old, born two months premature.His mother had gone into labor when an … Continued
Nigeria gets action plan to cater for sick newborns
The Federal Government has launched three new policy documents to tackle health of newborns. They are Nigeria Every Newborn Action Plan, Essential Newborn Care Course (ENCC) training package and National Chlorhexidine Scale Up Strategy document. The action plan is to serve as a roadmap that focuses on packages of interventions that address care during labour, … Continued
15 newborn research questions that might nip Uganda’s neonatal mortality
Uganda’s newborn research agenda is beginning to take shape following the zeroing on fifteen relevant questions that experts think, if answered, will significantly contribute to the reduction of neonatal deaths. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda calls for reduction of neonatal mortality to less than 12 per 1000 live births in each country. With funding … Continued
Twelve Innovators Get Funding from Saving Lives at Birth
International Partnership Invests $3.4 Million to Accelerate Innovations that Prevent Maternal, Newborn Deaths and Stillbirth in the Hardest to Reach Regions of the World WASHINGTON, DC – After fierce competition, 12 of the world’s most promising ideas to save lives at birth in developing countries have edged out nearly 650 other applicants, securing millions in … Continued
Strength of a Woman: Christine Maweu
Most newborn deaths are preventable, yet Kenya currently has few nurses who are specifically trained in nursing of sick newborns in health facilities. Rural areas are particularly challenged with lack of equipment and personnel, and in such areas committed and passionate professionals are key in reducing infant mortality. In Kitui district hospital, a humble nurse has … Continued
Study shows new method to test premature babies
In the absence of weighing scales, measuring the size of a baby’s foot using the foot length card and danger sign screening cards can help identify if a baby is premature or has low birth weight, a new study has shown.
Community engagement key to maternal and neonatal health – study
Findings from a four-year study (2012-2015) conducted by Makerere School of Public Health in Eastern Uganda have revealed a significant correlation between maternal health and community participation.