Levels of neonatal deaths in Zambia a crisis - NGOCC

Levels of neonatal deaths in Zambia a crisis - NGOCC
By Abigail Sitenge
Fri 13 Apr. 2012, 13:27 CAT

NGOCC executive director Engwase Mwale has called on the government and stakeholders to treat the high levels of neonatal deaths in Zambia as a crisis. Commenting on the UNICEF statistics that 199 infants out of a thousand live births in the country die before their fifth day, Mwale said the government must ensure the health sector has adequate infrastructure in rural areas.

She said Zambia committed itself to reducing the high numbers of neonatal deaths, adding that it was therefore imperative that the government looks at the issue seriously.

"NGOCC(Non- Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council) does recognise the abolishment of user fees in the health sector but that's not enough in itself," she said.

Mwale said stakeholders must work together in advocating for good health and the reduction in the death of newborn babies.

"We expect that it (the high neonatal deaths) should be treated as a crisis and that more stakeholders must avail themselves to ensure that we work together advocate for good health in our country, we cannot allow continued high numbers of neonatal deaths and high maternal mortality rates in our country," said Mwale.

During the launch of the dissemination meeting on community-based Newborn Care in Lusaka on Wednesday, community development permanent secretary Prof Elwyn Chomba said the neonatal mortality has remained consistently high.

Prof Chomba said the survival of newborn babies depends on the timely care that is provided, adding that although there has been survival programmes over the last 25 years to reduce the death rate among children under five, the biggest impact has been in the era of reducing neonatal deaths.

According to Prof Chomba, the demographic survey indicated that neonatal mortality remained high representing 34 per cent of under five deaths in Zambia.

Currently, out of a thousand live births, 119 newborns die before their fifth day while 34 die within the first day of life.