LUCY LUMBE, Lusaka
SWEDEN has committed US$2.6 million to Zambia for buying of essential newborn equipment, establishment of a centre of excellence and strengthening of neonatal intensive care in selected health facilities.
And Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo is concerned about the escalation of the neonatal mortality rate in Zambia, from 24 percent to 27 percent per 1,000 live births.
Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Anna Maj Hultglard says that country will continue supporting Zambia in strengthening essential newborn care services.
Ms Hultglard said this yesterday during the launch of the 2021 World Prematurity Day.
This year’s event was held under the theme “Zero separation and act now; keep parents and babies born too soon together”.
She said Sweden continues to play a critical role in raising awareness about preterm babies and supporting life-saving interventions like skin-to-skin contact and zero separation policies between the infants and their mothers.
Ms Hultglard said continuous skin-to-skin contact between infants and CLICK TO READ MORE