Achieving newborn health policy change through research and partnerships in Mali, Pakistan and Bolivia

Background

Four million newborns worldwide die annually from preventable causes, with 99 percent occurring in developing countries. Since 2000, Save the Children has combined research, partnerships and advocacy for policy change and programs to reduce newborn deaths in 19 countries.

Save the Children has been working to demonstrate feasible, effective and proven interventions, conducting research to advance state of the art and advocate for national commitment with a goal of neonatal mortality reduction.

Methods

We will present case studies to illustrate the pathways for policy change on newborn health in Mali, Pakistan and Bolivia.

While global under-five mortality rates have decreased significantly, declines in newborn health mortality has stagnated. Newborn health has been neglected in programs and policies, and neonatal mortality was not even tracked. To change the scenario, Save the Children undertook steps to prioritize newborn health in national policies in Mali, Pakistan and Bolivia.

Results

Save the Children conducted and strategically disseminated national situational analyses to understand the status of newborn health issues, programs and policies. Research was conducted, newborn health coalitions were created, and monitoring of newborn health indicators began.

Save the Children's advocacy has led to policy changes at various levels, including insertion of newborn health interventions into safe motherhood and child survival programs, health worker trainings and manuals, adoption of newborn health into national health strategies and leveraged funds.

Conclusion

Save the Children has been successful in improving newborn policy in developing countries due to an evidence-based approach, partner coalitions and in-country leadership.