Efforts to prevent neonatal deaths must pick up: UNICEF

New Delhi: UNICEF India, as part of its global campaign, 'Every Child ALIVE', sought today acceleration of efforts to eliminate preventable neonatal deaths -- when a baby dies in the first 28 days of life -- by 2030, with a focus on the girl child.

'EveryChildALIVE' is UNICEF's global signature campaign to demand and deliver affordable, quality healthcare solutions for every mother and newborn.

Given that India contributes to nearly one fifth of the global burden of under-five age group deaths and around a quarter of the global burden of neonatal deaths, this campaign focuses on creating an in-depth discourse around the issues, a statement by UNICEF stated.

UNICEF's officiating Chief of Health, Dr Gagan Gupta said that India has shown good and consistent progress in reduction of child mortality, with nearly 1,20,000 fewer under five deaths in 2016 as compared to 2015.

"However more efforts are needed for reducing neonatal deaths and addressing the gender gap in child survival. Simple interventions like ensuring every newborn is breast fed within the first hour of life can reduce neonatal deaths by 22 percent," said Gupta.