Measures taken to cut neonatal mortality rate

Health authorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have formally launched the “New-born Survival Strategy” in order to reduce neonatal mortality ratio in the province, with special focus on the healthcare of expecting mothers in the flood affected areas of the province.

Under the strategy, according to sources in the health department, the province is upgrading its 250 health facilities.

The health department has said that it is monitoring all the district health officers, who have been tasked with taking measures to bring down the mortality rate.

The provincial strategy envisages reduction in the number of deaths during pregnancy and childbirth from 41 per thousand births to 35 in the first phase, while the target of further reduction in infant mortality would be achieved in phases.

The federal government launched the New-Born Survival Strategy 2022-27 and sent it all the provinces for implementation.

According to the sources, K-P has a higher neonatal mortality rate than Punjab.

The province had taken formal steps to reduce this ratio.

“Work is in final stages to upgrade 250 health facilities across Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa province,” a source said.

“They have also been provided hygiene kits and other necessary equipment by the health department,” the source added.

Officials said that in 11 flood-affected districts, the authorities had registered 26,247 pregnant women, including 11,868 pregnant women in the Swat district alone.

Other cases registered include 6,436 in Kolai Palas; 2,621 in Shangla; 815 in Nowshera; 944 in Charsadda; 642 in Dera Ismail Khan; 487 in Tank; 557 in Upper Chitral; 376 in Lower Chitral; 103 in Kohistan Upper; and 398 in Lower Kohistan.

“Special medical centres have been allocated for prenatal check-up and postnatal health care for these pregnant women,” another sources told The Express Tribune.

“Health related facilities are being provided with the support of international aid organisations,” he added.