Zambia is one of the countries with high prematurity case mortality rate

21/11/2013

Zambia has called for global efforts to promote cheap and cost-effective lifesaving interventions for premature babies to reduce infant mortality, especially in developing countries.

Zambia, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Foundation co-hosted the third World Prematurity Day, which took place on 17 November, in New York, under the theme: “Prevention and care of the preterm births and the every newborn action plan”.

Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr Mwaba Kasese-Bota said prematurity was the leading cause of new born deaths, accounting for one million deaths per year, but remained a neglected problem.

Dr Kasese-Bota said evidence has showed that 75% birth prematurity attributable deaths can be prevented by simple proven and inexpensive treatments.

She told the gathering that Zambia is one of the countries with high incidences of prematurity and high prematurity case mortality rate.

Dr Kasese-Bota said to respond to this challenge, the government of Zambia has developed the new born framework for management of and guidance provision on newborns including prematurity

[Qfm]