Stakeholders raise alarm as 50% of preterm babies are delivered at Pumwani hospital

Over 50% of the babies delivered at the Pumwani maternity hospital are born preterm, increasing their risk of neonatal death. Health workers and stakeholders in the sector have raised alarm over the number of small vulnerable newborns in the country, adding that neonatal death and infant mortalities are still a cause for concern. In a round table meeting drawing together stakeholders the ministry of health has announced that the government is rolling out a community health information systems across the country to track down expectant mothers to ensure that they get the medical care required to carry their pregnancies to term. According to a report released by the Lancet, 1 out of 4 babies are born too soon or too small.