Survive and thrive: transforming care for every small and sick newborn maps out a pathway towards 2030. It is built upon epidemiology, historical trends, lessons learnt and evidence-based interventions.
If appropriate action is taken globally, small and sick newborns can and will survive and thrive as future productive members of society. With strategic partnerships and innovative approaches, the international community can transform all aspects of newborn care, from its availability and quality to its uptake and affordability.
According to this report, the world will not achieve the global target to achieve health for all unless it transforms care for every newborn. Without rapid progress, some countries will not meet this target for another 11 decades. To save newborns, the report recommends:
- Providing round-the-clock inpatient care for newborns seven days a week.
- Training nurses to provide hands-on care working in partnership with families.
- Harnessing the power of parents and families by teaching them how to become expert caregivers and care for their babies, which can reduce stress, help babies gain weight and allow their brains to develop properly.
- Providing good quality of care should be a part of country policies, and a lifelong investment for those who are born small or sick.
- Counting and tracking every small and sick newborn allows managers to monitor progress and improve results.
- Allocating the necessary resources, as an additional investment of US$ 0.20 cents per person can save 2 of every 3 newborns in low- and middle-income countries by 2030.