India likely to achieve SDG goals for reduction in newborn deaths

 

Team Blitz India

CAPE TOWN: India, which has taken proactive steps to reduce neonatal mortality, is likely to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets in this key area by 2030, a top WHO official has said.

"India has taken important steps to improve the quality of care during labour and childbirth, leading to reductions in maternal deaths. This will also bring better outcomes for newborns," Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at the World Health Organisation, Geneva, said.

"If we use the annual rate of reduction for newborn deaths between 2016-21 and apply it to 2022-30, it is likely that India will be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets," Dr Banerjee, who was here last week to attend the 'International Maternal Newborn Health Conference' (IMNHC 2023), said.

India has been proactive in taking action to accelerate neonatal mortality reductions, including strengthening policy and planning for newborn health, media reports quoting Dr Banerjee said on May 16.

India has an established newborn care programme at both the health facility and community levels.