Neonatal deaths

Through the corridors of Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), hardworking midwives are committed to reducing infection as they prepare for another day bringing our newest Papua New Guineans into the world.

WHO estimates neonatal infections result in over 550,000 deaths every year, globally. Almost all are entirely preventable with basic interventions.

With the delivery of 40 maternal health kits to PMGH, midwives report the rate of neonatal deaths has decreased up to 80%.

Sadly, this deaths are from preventable diseases.

And one of such, not widely known however, is Hypothermia or low body temperature - when the baby’s temperature falls below 36.5 degrees.

Hypothermia prevention and management can save up to 42 percent of neonatal deaths as well as ensuring healthy growth and development of the baby.

In effort to address this, a new innovative device, locally renamed as Bebi Kol Kilok was trialled in the country - at the Port Moresby General Hospital, Goroka Provincial Hospital and Henganofi district of Eastern Highlands Province