Count every newborn: EN-BIRTH study improving facility-based coverage and quality measurement in routine information systems

摘要

Unacceptably, 2.4 million newborns were estimated to have died during their first 28 days in 2019 [1]. Additionally at least 2 million babies each year were stillborn in the last 3 months of pregnancy [2], many during labour and many to the 0.3 million mothers who die from maternal causes each year [3]. Millions more babies were born too soon, at increased risk of long-term disabilities [4]. In 2014, the Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) [5, 6] was endorsed by 194 Member States, including a commitment to end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths. The first ever global target for neonatal mortality reduction was included in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 [7]. To attain universal health coverage and meet SDG 3 by 2030, countries need to scale up evidence-based interventions, including for newborn health. Hence timely and high-quality data on outcomes and coverage are crucial, especially through national health information systems. During pandemics, stillbirths and neonatal deaths may be increased [8], further underlining the need for data through routine systems.