On behalf of Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN), International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), International Council of Nurses (ICN), International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), International Paediatric Association (IPA)
The Born Too Soon: Decade of Action has highlighted that whilst encouraging progress has been made to prevent and protect preterm birth, much more concerted action is needed.
Every 2 seconds, a baby is born too soon. Every 40 seconds, one of those babies dies. In the last decade, preterm birth rates have not changed in any region of the world. Coverage is highly inequitable and challenges disproportionately affect those most vulnerable. For example, nearly 1 in 10 preterm babies are born in the 10 most fragile countries affected by humanitarian crises where accessing care is particularly challenging.
This is unacceptable as the majority of related deaths and disabilities are preventable. We have in our hands the cost-effective solutions to ensure that every woman has access to high-quality reproductive and maternal care, and that every baby born too soon – and other vulnerable newborns – can survive and thrive. It is our job to implement these solutions comprehensively in every setting.
As leaders of health care professional associations, we wholeheartedly commit to work together to take bold action to reduce the burden of preterm birth in the coming decade.
In partnership with women and their families, as multi-disciplinary care providers, we will seize the opportunity of recent increases in coverage of women’s sexual, reproductive and maternal health care to improve the quality of care before, during and after childbirth
We re-affirm our commitment that all women and families receive respectful, person-centred care, and that women’s and adolescents’ voices are respected.
We call upon our governments to support us in this critical work and invest in strengthening the health workforce so that skilled health care providers are comprehensively available to be able to ensure respectful high quality care reaches every mother and family.
Only then can we ensure that every woman has access to high-quality reproductive and maternal care, and that every baby born too soon – and other vulnerable newborns – can survive and thrive.
Comments