KATHMANDU, March 7: In a significant move to enhance early detection and management of critical health conditions in newborns, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched implementation guidance for universal screening in the South-East Asia Region on Tuesday.  The initiative focuses on screening newborns for hearing impairment, eye abnormalities and neonatal jaundice to prevent disabilities resulting from these conditions.

According to the organization, the guidance incorporates simple tests that utilize non-invasive tools and can be integrated within the existing health systems. These screenings are recommended to take place either before discharge after a health-facility birth, or during the first postnatal care contact in an outpatient setting after a home birth.

“The regional implementation guidance will facilitate capacity-building for newborn or neonatal screening that aims at pre-symptomatic detection, shortly after birth, of serious treatable conditions. Backed by referral, diagnosis, management, and follow-up for appropriate treatment, , these screenings will enable prevention of long-term disability or premature death,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, while releasing the guidance  at a regional webinar on birth defects.

“Focusing on improving care around the time of birth and the first week of life is important to ensure every child survives and thrives to reach their full potential,” the Regional Director said.

According to the organization, despite a remarkable 45% decline in under -5 mortality rates between 2010 and 2021, in the WHO South-Asia Region, birth defects’ contribution to under-5 mortality has increased from 4% to 11% during the last two decades (2000 to 2021). As other major causes of death have been successfully addressed, the WHO stressed the need for collective efforts to standardize newborn screening practices.

“Our Region is committed to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal targets for maternal, newborn and child mortality. I urge all our Member States and stakeholders to adopt, internalize and use the implementation guidance for introducing and conducting these three screening tests for all newborns before hospital discharge, including appropriate management of babies,” Wazed said.

 
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