The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday appealed to Philippine hospitals for tightened infection-control to curb the growing deaths caused by neonatal sepsis, a serious bacterial infection.
Of the approximately 30,000 Philippine children who die within a month of birth every year, nearly 8,000 deaths are caused by neonatal sepsis, WHO said in a press release.
The call followed the death of 31 newborn babies in May in a Metro Manila hospital, 27 of whom died from neonatal sepsis.
"Newborns are very susceptible to infection because of their underdeveloped immune system," said Dr. Howard Sobel, a medical officer in WHO's Philippines country office. "For that very reason, standards in hospital infection control should be strictly enforced starting at birth."
These standards begin with safe cutting of the umbilical cord, immediately placing the infant with its mother, exclusive breastfeeding within an hour of birth and rooming-in the baby with the mother thereafter, he said.
Sobel said that apart from maintaining a clean hospital environment, birthing women, birth attendants and others handling the baby should observe strict personal hygiene, particularly hand-washing at all times.
Likewise, handling of the baby and invasive interventions such as setting up intravenous lines should be conducted only when and where there is a proven need. All equipment coming in contact with intact skin must be washed thoroughly, he said.
Source: Xinhua
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