More lives will now be saved for children under 5 who are in hospital after the Health Ministry received biomedical equipment today.
While speaking at the handing over ceremony, the Australian Acting High Commissioner Glen Miles said the $395,000 equipment will help children and women access quality maternal and child health services.
Head of Pediatrics, Dr Joseph Kado said the medical staff will improve their service and maintain the health condition of children under 5.
The Child Healthcare Review conducted in August 2010 found that 56% of all deaths in children under 5 occur in the perinatal phase which is up to one month after birth.
Of these deaths, 29% are preventable and the new equipment works toward saving the lives of babies in this critical period which is the four weeks after birth.
The review also revealed that majority of neonatal deaths were in infants born after the 34th week of pregnancy with over 40% being of normal birth weight.
It is also revealed in the review that most of the deaths occurred in the three divisional hospitals.
Story by: Watisoni Butabua
