Review Article

Strategies that Reduced Neonatal Mortality and Created a Neonatology Unit in a Low Resource Setting, Limbe-Cameroon

Authors: Naiza Monono.

DOI: 10.33425/2689-1085.1073

---

Abstract

The Multiple Cluster Indicator /Demographic and Health Survey (DHS-MICS) of Cameroon in 2018 reported a neonatal mortality rate of 28 % from 33% in 1991, indicating a slight decrease of 15% [1]. In Cameroon, studies have been carried out in hospitals of a similar category on the causes and determinants of neonatal mortality [2,3], but at the Limbe Regional hospital no study could be carried out, because the was no neonatology unit in this 3rd level hospital in my country to provide good health care services for the newborns and contribute to the national data of the Country. After identifying these major public health deficits in my local setting, goals were set with the aim of improving health care services to the community, strengthening the health care system of the hospital and reduced neonatal mortality to achieve the third sustainable development goal (SDG) relating to the reduction of under-five mortality by 2030. In this challenging environment in 2016, determined to do things right with the purpose of reducing neonatal mortality, it unconsciously brought out intervention skills of advocacy, team building in simplicity and humility because some of the staff were older than me, coaching, networking, monitoring, and evaluating the implemented standard operating procedures (SOP) that were set in place. This good intention to foster positive change to the community, the health care system of this hospital and improve on the National DHS-MICS data has trained staff, built, equipped the neonatology service, and reduced neonatal mortality to 16% in the year 2022 in the Limbe Regional hospital, compared to the National data which revealed a neonatal mortality rate of 26.3% in the same year. ‘The man who moves the mountain begins by carrying small stones.

View / Download PDF