India Is Probably Going To Achieve The SDGs For Reducing Neonatal Deaths: WHO Expert

CAPE TOWN: A top WHO official recently stated that India, which has taken proactive measures to lower neonatal mortality, is likely to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goal targets in this important area by 2030. The official's statement was supported by data on the annual rate of reduction for newborn fatalities in the nation between 2016 and 2021.

“India has taken important steps to improve the quality of care during labour and childbirth, leading to reductions in maternal deaths. This will also bring better outcomes for newborns,” Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at the World Health Organisation, Geneva, told to the media.

“If we use the annual rate of reduction for newborn deaths between 2016 2021 and apply it to 2022 2030, it is likely that India will be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets, Dr. Banerjee said at ”The "International Maternal Newborn Health Conference" (IMNHC 2023), which she attended in town last week.

Banerjee spoke in a number of sessions throughout the course of the four-day conference, which took place from May 8 to 11.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF, and the World Bank collaborated with AlignMNH, a global effort supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to host the IMNHC 2023.

India has a well-established newborn care programme at the community and health facility levels.

Essential newborn care is provided through designated Newborn Care Corners in health facilities, Newborn Stabilisation Units have been established in primary health facilities to treat simple newborn illnesses, and a large network of about 1,000 newborn care units has been established in hospitals to treat sick and preterm newborns.

India also has one of the biggest "home-based care for newborns" schemes, where frontline health professionals (ASHAs) make six to seven visits to give health services and counselling at home following birth.

Under the "LaQshya" scheme, the Ministry of Health has taken on the quality certification of hundreds of labour rooms and maternity operation theatres.

The standardisation of delivery rooms, adherence to crucial (clinical and non-clinical) practises surrounding birthing, and creation of a supportive environment for "respectful maternity care" have increased public trust in the public health system.

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