Ministry of Health and Sanitation director of reproductive health Owen Chikhwaza has urged Mulanje District Hospital staff to reduce neonatal deaths from 13 out of 1 000 births to single digit.
During the official presentation of the refurbished nursery ward on Wednesday by the Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (Nest360) Malawi in partnership with Africap Limited Liability Company (LLC) at the facility, he said the ministry expects the nursing staff to do better with the upgraded ward.
Magombo: Newborns should have
quality care. | Temwa Mhone
“They have done better when the room was small and not conducive. They target 12 by next year, but we expect them to reach a single digit such as eight or five. The 12 out of 1 000 births is a national target which they can achieve within months courtesy of the development,” said Chikhwaza.
Mulanje District Hospital neonatal nursing officer Gertrude Makina-Chiuzeni said they have been motivated to improve care for newborn babies.
“Now, the space is big and conducive for about 120 small and sick newborns we receive monthly to get their needs better than before. This is crucial to supporting the babies survive and flourish,” she said.
Nest360 Malawi clinical director Cathy Magombo said they are committed to ensuring that every baby survives and thrives in life.
“We want newborns to have quality care in a good space in their districts instead of travelling long distances to seek care,” she said.
Other infrastructure fund partners include Nico Holdings plc and North American Communities Foundation.
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