The government has pledged to limit neonatal death to 15 to achieve Millennium Development Goals by 2015.[break]
“We have extended the newborn care package. We plan to make it a nationwide campaign,” said Shyam Raj Upreti, chief of Child Health Division (CHD). He said the government has not been able to bring down neonatal deaths since 2006.
Thirty-three out of 1,000 newborn babies die within four weeks in Nepal.
“We have reduced total child mortality but neonatal deaths are still same,” Upreti added. According to CHD, hypothermia, complications from low birth weight, asphyxia and infection are the major causes of neonatal mortality. The CHD says that most of new born deaths take place during the first week of birth. Upreti said of the total neonatal deaths 25 to 45 percent death occurs within 24 hours.
According to the Family Health Division (FHD) of the Department of Health Services (DoHS), female community health volunteers (FCHV) will provide free post natal care to newborns and mothers in the districts where the program is operating.
Community Based Newborn Care Program has been running since 2007 with the goal of improving the health and survival of newborn babies. The program is being conducted in Terathum, Sankhuwasabha, Sarlahi, Myagdi, Kailali, Saptari, Bajhang, Banke, Kapilbastu, Arghakhachi, Mahotari, Salyan, Dailekh, Jumla, Nawalparasi, Dhankuta, Morang, Palpa, Doti, Bardia, Dang, Chitwan, Kavre, Parsa and Sunsari districts.
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