Staff Writer
Zimbabwe’s neonatal mortality, which is deaths in children under five years of age has increased from 27 to 32 deaths per 1000 live births between 1990 and 2019.
This was revealed by UNICEF Representative Dr Tajudeen Oyewale Friday at the Zimbabwe Medical Congress.
Dr Oyewale said the increase occurred despite high coverage of prevention of Mother-to-Child transmission (PMTCT) interventions at 93% (DHIS2, 2023), antenatal care uptake at 93% (ANC1) and 71% (ANC4) and, and institutional delivery with skilled birth attendants at 86% (MICS, 2019).
“As you know, the majority neonatal deaths (75%) occurs during the first week of life, associated with preterm birth, intrapartum-related complications (birth asphyxia), infections and birth defects.
“From the end of the neonatal period and through the first 5 years of life, the main causes of death are pneumonia, diarrhoea, birth defects and malaria. “Malnutrition is the underlying contributing factor, making children more vulnerable to severe diseases,” Dr Oyewale said.
“Proven, cost-effective, interventions however exist to prevent newborn death and prevent stillbirths, but we must reach high coverage of quality antenatal care, skilled care at birth, postnatal care for mother and baby, and care of small and sick newborns.”
He said with the increase in facility-based delivery in Zimbabwe, there was a great opportunity to provide essential newborn care and identify and manage high risk newborns.
“However, few women and newborns stay in the facility for the recommended 24 hours after birth, which is the most critical time when complications can present. In addition, too many newborns die at home because of early discharge from the hospital, barriers to access and delays in seeking care.
“The four recommended postnatal care contacts delivered at health facility or through home visits play a key role to reach these newborns and their families, “ Dr Oyewale said.
Dr Oyewale commended doctors for the downward trend in maternal mortality ratio in Zimbabwe, which decreased from 1,068 to 362 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2002 and 2022 as reported in the 2022 Census estimates.
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