Helping Children Survive to 5 in Bolivia

The Saving Newborn Lives Program in Bolivia and Guatemala is undertaking an operational research program in Oruro, Bolivia, and in Ixil, in Guatemala thanks to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The focus of the operational research is on post natal care for both childrens and mothers. We have learned that that this period, immediately following birth is the most vulnerable period for newborns, especially during the first week of life. It is also a period when mothers and newborns often do not have access to health services.

Ideally, newborns and mothers would receive care within six hours of birth, and then within three days after birth.

We are looking at three models of attention for newborns and mothers. First of all, we are recommending that health promotors, usually community volunteers, make five home visits to weigh the newborn, take the termperature of the newborn, and check the respiration rate of both the newborn and the mother. The health promotor should also try to detect any signs of danger or risk which require other support from the nearest health center. We know that we have to provide more training to health promotors and government health workers to follow these recommended practices.

An expected result or product from this ongoing research in Guatemala and Bolivia will be the development of a training package which focuses on home visits for newborns immediately following birth and the required attention for mothers. We believe that the knowledge gained from this operations research study will lead to a reduction in newborn deaths and improved attention to mothers. We are calling this approach, Six Hours, and Three Days.