Save the Children launches newborn report

Save the Children launched its newborn report entitled “Ending Newborn Deaths” on February 25th in Addis Ababa.

Citing evidence showing a significant disparity among regions of Ethiopia in terms of the percentage of deliveries assisted by skilled health personnel (Addis Ababa is 83.9 % versus 7.2 %. in Afar), John Graham,Country Director for Save the Children, called for equity and quality of care to be at the heart of Ethiopia’s interventions in the years ahead.

Speaking at the event on behalf of Health State Minister Dr. Kebede Worku, Dr. Taye Tolerra, Advisor to the State Minister, said: Nearly half of the childhood deaths (43%) occur within the first 28 days of life and it has only fallen by 39% from 68/100 in 1990 to 29/1000 live births in 2012. “Hence, we need to spur the momentum especially in terms of improving newborn health and reducing neonatal mortality,” said Dr.Tolerra.

The event saw representatives of governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations, UN Agencies, academic institutions and professional associations in the areas of maternal, newborn and child heath in Ethiopia. Attendees have signed on the newborn promise pledge board. Around 10 media agencies from both print and broadcast media took part in the event. Dr. Berhanu Demeke, Save the Children’s spokesperson for this report, and Dr. Martha Minwiyelet Deputy Director, Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, met journalists at a press briefing organized at the end of the event and answered questions from journalists.