Pakistan is ranked second among the top ten countries that account for nearly two-thirds of all deaths from preterm birth complications, as an estimate 860,000 premature births are recorded each year in Pakistan, of which nearly 102,000 children die due to related complications.
Pakistan will observe the 6th annual World Prematurity Day on Thursday (November 17) to reaffirm its commitment towards reducing the number of preterm births in the country. However, it will not be possible to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without a reduction in preterm births and child deaths.
According to UNICEF, an estimate 860,000 premature births are recorded each year in Pakistan, of which nearly 102,000 children die due to related complications.
Globally, 15 million babies are born before time each year and over 1 million children die before their fifth birthday. Pakistan is ranked second among the top ten countries that account for nearly two-thirds of all deaths from preterm birth complications, so it seems next to impossible ending all preventable newborn and child deaths by 2030 without a major push to reduce these deaths.
The World Prematurity Day 2016 will highlight innovations that will highlight the promise of transforming the prevention, diagnosis, and management of preterm birth. While it provides an opportunity to call attention to the heavy burden of death and disability when a child is born too soon, it is also a chance to talk about solutions.
The number of preterm births in Pakistan must be reduced, as these are one of the leading causes of death for children under five years of age. UNICEF, in partnership with the government of Pakistan, is supporting efforts to reduce child morbidity and mortality. One example of the most recent initiatives is the establishment of a ‘kangaroo mother care’ (KMC) model at a public hospital in Lahore, where special care is provided to the preterm newborns. KMC is a technique used to keep the newborn warm and support breastfeeding.
Good hygiene care can help prevent multiple infections, while early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour can particularly help prevent deaths. The facility will also serve as a training resource centre to build the capacity of other health care providers and scale up similar initiatives in other provinces.
UNICEF emphasises that premature births and child deaths can be avoided by strengthening health policies and services, as well as improving access and care for mothers and newborns. Although notable achievements have been made in the health sector, a lot more is needed in terms of the quality of care for women and newborns.
An important aspect of prevention of preterm birth is adequate maternal nutrition, which is critical for foetal development. Women with low Body Mass Index (BMI) or low pregnancy weight gain are at increased risk for preterm birth. There are other proven low-cost interventions that are especially effective for preterm babies.
