Making a case for investing in small and sick newborn care: the case of Zambia

Authors

  • Rodgers Gift , Benkele Ministry of Health
  • Miyanda Maila Ministry of Health
  • Olatubosun Akinola Ministry of Health
  • Vichael , Silavwe Ministry of Health
  • Dorothy Sikazwe Ministry of Health

Keywords:

This essay won a prize at the Newborn Toolkit/ ANA 2023 Essay Competition www.newborntoolkit.org

Abstract

Introduction
We are driven to raise awareness about a vital but frequently disregarded component of healthcare; the small and sick newborn care (SSNC) as a supporter of global health equity. The first month of a child's existence is
crucial, and providing complete care for babies who are small and sick is essential for their survival and long-term well-being. This essay will discuss the importance of funding SSNC initiatives, with a focus on creating a
comprehensive framework that is appropriate for Zambia's particular situation. This essay argues in favor of Zambia's establishment of an all-encompassing SSNC program. We can create a solid framework that addresses the difficulties faced by small and sick newborns by concentrating on key elements such as Family-Centered Care, Leadership and Governance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Infrastructure, Finance, Medical Supplies and Devices, and Infection Prevention. The essay will also outline possible challenges and obstacles and the mitigation factors. Finally, a conclusion will be made.

Author Biographies

  • Rodgers Gift , Benkele, Ministry of Health

    Ministry of Health - Zambia

  • Miyanda Maila, Ministry of Health

    Ministry of Health - Zambia

  • Olatubosun Akinola, Ministry of Health

    Ministry of Health - Zambia

  • Vichael , Silavwe, Ministry of Health

    Ministry of Health - Zambia

  • Dorothy Sikazwe, Ministry of Health

    Ministry of Health - Zambia

References

Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care. What is PFCC? [Internet]. Ipfcc.org.2012 [cited 2023 Oct 12]. Available from: https://ipfcc.org/about/pfcc.html

WHO. Standards for Improving the Quality of Care for Small and Sick Newborns in Health Facilities [Internet]. www.who.int. 2020 [cited 2023 Oct 12]. Available from: https://www.who.int/

publications/i/item/9789240010765

Dowou RK, Amu H, Saah FI, Adeagbo O, Bain LE. Increased Investment in Universal Health Coverage in Sub–Saharan Africa Is Crucial to Attain the Sustainable Development Goal 3 Targets on Maternal and Child Health. Archives of Public Health. 2023 Mar 4;81(1).

UNICEF. SDG Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being [Internet]. UNICEF DATA. 2022 [cited 2023 Oct 12]. Available from: https://data.unicef.org/sdgs/goal-3-good-health-wellbeing/

Hug L, Alexander M, You D, Alkema L. National, regional, and Global Levels and Trends in Neonatal Mortality between 1990 and 2017, with scenario-based Projections to 2030: a Systematic Analysis. The Lancet Global Health. 2019 Jun;7(6):e710–20.

NEST360, UNICEF. Implementation Toolkit [Internet]. SSNC Implementation Toolkit. 2023 [cited 2023 Oct 12]. Available from: https://www.newborntoolkit.org/toolkit/familycenteredcare/overview

Ministry of Finance and National Planning. Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) 20222026 Socioeconomic Transformation for Improved Livelihoods [Internet]. zambiaembassy.org. Lusaka: Ministry of Finance and National Planning; 2022 [cited 2023 Oct 12] p. 2–3. Available from: https://zambiaembassy.org/sites/default/files/documents/8NDP_2022-2026.pdf

Waddington C, Veenendaal NR, O'Brien K, Patel N. Family Integrated care: Supporting Parents as Primary Caregivers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Pediatric Investigation. 2021

Jun;5(2):148–54.

Partners In Health. Research: Innovative Program Saves At- Risk Newborns in Rwanda [Internet]. Partners in Health. Partners in Health; 2021 [cited 2023 Oct 12]. Available from:

https://www.pih.org/article/research-innovative-programsaves-risk-newborns-rwanda

UNFPA, WHO, ICM. The State of the World’s Midwifery 2021 [Internet]. UNFPA. New York: UNFPA; 2021 May [cited 2023 Dec 16] p. 1–71. Available from: https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/21-038-UNFPASoWMy2021-ReportENv4302_0.pdf

Zambia Statistics Agency, Ministry of Health (MOH), ICF. Zambia Demographic Health Survey Summary Report [Internet]. dhsprogram. Lusaka: Zambia Statistics Agency, MOH, and ICF; 2019

[cited 2023 Oct 16] p. 1–16. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/SR265/SR265.pdf

WHO. Primary health care [Internet]. World Health Organization. World Health Organization; 2022 [cited 2023 Oct 18]. Available from: https://www.who.int/healthtopics/primaryhealthcare#

tab=tab_1

WHO, UNICEF. Every Newborn an Action Plan to End Preventable Deaths [Internet]. Every Newborn: an Action Plan to End Preventable Deaths. Geneva: World Health Organisation; 2014 [cited 2023 Oct 18] p. 1–56. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/127938/9789241507448_eng.pdf?sequence=1

Stevenson AG, Tooke L, Edwards EM, Mangiza M, Horn D, Heys M, et al. The use of data in resource-limited settings to improve quality of care. Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine.2021 Feb;26(1):101204.

Korherr P, Kanbach DK, Kraus S, Mikalef P. From Intuitive to data-driven decision-making in Digital transformation: a Framework of Prevalent Managerial Archetypes. Digital Business [Internet]. 2022 Oct;2(2):100045. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666954422000254

MoH. "Towards Attainment of Quality Universal Health Coverage through Decentralisation" [Internet]. 2022-2026 National Health Strategic Plan. Lusaka: MoH; 2022 [cited 2023 Oct 18] p.–136. Available from: https://www.moh.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/National-HealthStratergic-Plan-for-Zambia-2022-to-2026-revised-February-2023-lowerresolution.pdf

WHO, UNICEF. Moving Faster to End Preventable Newborn Deaths and Stillbirths by 2030, New Every Newborn Coverage Targets and Milestones #Every Newborn #End Still birth [Internet]. presentation-everynewborn-2025-coverage-target -milestones-launch-sep-32020. 2020 [cited 2023 Oct 18]. Available from: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/defaultsource/mcadocuments/enap-2025-targets/presentation-every-newborn-2025-coverage-targetmilestoneslaunch-sep-3-2020.pdf?sfvrsn=7865286c_2

Wag staff A, Bredenkamp C. Module 3: Financial Protection Catastrophic and Impoverishing Health Expenditure [Internet]. World Bank Group. World Bank Group; 2023 [cited 2023 Oct 18]. Available from https://www.worldbank.org/content/dam/Worldbank/document/HDN/Health/Module3 FinancialProtection.pdf

WHO. World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines for Children – 8th List (2021) [Internet]. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children - 8th list, 2021. Geneva: WHO; 2021 [cited 2023 Oct 18] p. 1–43. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/345534/WHOMHP-HPS-EML-2021.03eng.pdf?sequence=1

Hamer DH, Mwananyanda L, Cowden C, Pierre C, Mwansa J, Chileshe Lukwesa, et al. Sepsis prevention in neonates in Zambia study: Impact of an infection prevention bundle on neonatal sepsis and mortality. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2018 Aug 1;73 (73):43–3.

WHO. Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework at the Facility Level, Introduction and User Instructions [Internet]. Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework at the Facility Level. Geneva: WHO; 2018 [cited 2023 Oct 18] p. 1–15. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/330072/WHOHIS-SDS-2018.9eng.pdf?sequence=1

Downloads

Published

2024-05-05

How to Cite

Making a case for investing in small and sick newborn care: the case of Zambia. (2024). JOURNAL OF AFRICAN NEONATOLOGY, 2(1), 26-30. https://janeonatology.org/index.php/jan/article/view/62

Similar Articles

1-10 of 21

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.