The application of a program in health centers in the country will reduce neonatal mortality in Dominican Republic by 25% by May 2024 compared to 2022, the United Nations Children’s Fund reported on Tuesday. (Unicef).
The organization collaborates with the Ministry of Public Health and other entities in the execution of the project developed with the purpose of reducing the number of newborns that enter the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in ten maternity wards and reducing neonatal mortality in NICUs in four hospitals.
This Acceleration plan for the reduction of neonatal mortality in the Dominican Republic It will be applied in the San Lorenzo de Los Minas Maternal and Child hospitals, in the Nuestra Señora de La Altagracia University, in the Reynaldo Almánzar in Santo Domingo, in the Renée Klang de Guzmán in Santiago, and in the Jaime Mota Hospital in Barahona.
Also, it will be in the Alejandro Cabral, in San Juan de la Maguana; Morillo King, from La Vega; Juan Pablo Pina, in San Cristóbal; Ricardo Limardo, from Puerto Plata, and La Altagracia, from Higüey, indicates a press release.
The executive director of the National Health Service (SNS), mario lamasstated that last year a significant reduction in maternal mortality was achieved and the priority for 2023 is the decrease in neonatal mortality.
“We are committed to promoting a positive and radical change in the delivery of public network services with the aim of offering assistance with quality and humanized mothers and newborns so that in the year 2024 we also achieve a reduction in neonatal mortality by 25% compared to the past 2022”, he said.
The doctor representing Unicef in the country, rose elcartestressed that the organization will redouble its efforts so that the decrease of preventable neonatal mortality is a reality in the country.
This plan “It will only be possible if we have the collaboration of all the institutions committed to reducing the neonatal mortalitythe commitment of health providers, the firm decision of the health authorities, the articulated cooperation of international institutions and the invaluable support of our donors”, he stated.
To reduce the number of newly born entering the NICU, it is necessary to reduce infections during pregnancy, childbirth and prematurity by strengthening microbiology laboratories, biosecurity and prenatal consultation.
It also seeks to reduce the number of newborns with low weight, at birth through the screening program and treatment malnourished pregnant women in these hospitals.
On the way to reduce neonatal mortality in NICUs, biosecurity must be strengthened, as well as prevention and control infects in maternity hospitals of national reference.
In addition to the national institutions mentioned, the application of the program collaborates with the Pan American Health Organization-Latin American Center for Perinatology (PAHO-CLAP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), doctors from the Miguel Servet-Zaragoza University Hospital in Spain and the Dominican Foundation for Mothers and Children (DOFMI).