FG launches 3 guidelines to reduce Neonatal Mortality

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Federal Government has launched three newborn guidelines and a training manual aimed at reducing the current high Neonatal Mortality in the country.

The guideline was launched on Thursday, during the commemoration of this year’s World Prematurity Day in collaboration with Save the Children International (SCI) in Abuja.

The minister of health , Dr Osagie Ehanire
launched the documents which included:
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Operational Guidelines,National Guideline for Basic Newborn Care (NGBNC), National Guidelines for Comprehensive Newborn Care (NGCNC) and National Guidelines for Comprehensive Newborn Care (NGCNC) Training Manual.

He said that according to the NDHS 2018, Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is 39 deaths per 1000 live birth. The three major causes of Neonatal death are prematurity (31%), intrapartum complications including birth asphyxia (31%) and sepsis (22%).

“According to the NDHS 2018, out of the 132 deaths per 1,000 live births of Under 5 Mortality rate, Neonatal deaths contributes 32%.

“This implies that if we collectively work hard to reduce Neonatal deaths by making sure that parents and babies born too soon are kept or stay together; the unacceptable under-5-mortality rate of 132 per 1,000 LB will improve.

“ These children need loads of love and support and the world prematurity day is a chance to show it. It aims to create awareness about the issues associated with preterm birth.

“It also spreads information about how to help and support the affected families by providing emotional and psychological guidance,” he said .

Also, the Advocacy, Campaigns and Policy Manager, Save the Children, Nigeria, Ifedilichukwu Ekene Innocent, lauded the ministry of health and other partners for the launch of the guidelines adding that it signifies a clear roadmap as to what we have to do as a country.