Reduction of neonatal deaths is a major public-health priority as 29% of child deaths are among newborns. Therefore improving neonatal survival is essential in attaining the Millennium Development Goal 4 on child mortality that seeks to reduce the rate of mortality of children under five by two thirds between 1990 and 2015. Currently, Tanzania has shown improvement in child survival but no significant gain in newborn survival over the past two decades which calls for innovative solutions and commitment to this problem.
It is estimated that around 16% of babies are born with low birth weight in Tanzania. Low birth weight has detrimental effects on the survival, growth and development of newborns and carries an increased risk of neonatal mortality. Additionally, preterm birth is a significant killer of newborns; an estimated 27% of newborns deaths are directly due to complications of preterm birth. Kangaroo Mother Care for preterm and low birth weight babies is one of the evidence-based and cost-effective child health interventions that contribute to reduction in neonatal mortality and an increase in healthy behaviours when implemented at high coverage. It is less labour intensive and requires few/limited resources, hence financially and economically feasible.
It is the expectation of the Government, particularly the MoHSW-RCHS, will use this manual to train the health workers on this proven low cost effective intervention for the survival of low birth weight babies in the effort of lowering the neonatal deaths.
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