By Sue-Ann Wayow
TRINIDAD and Tobago continues to record neonatal mortality rates (new-born death rates) better than the United Nation’s target of at least 12 per 1,000 live births.
In 2021 the country’s neonatal mortality rate was less than six per 1,000 live births.
The Ministry of Health in a press release on Monday stated that while the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 sets the neonatal mortality target to at least 12 per 1,000 live births, in 2021, Trinidad and Tobago achieved a rate of less than six per 1,000 live births.
All United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, and from the inception of the SDG 2030, T&T has achieved the international benchmark, the ministry stated.
The Ministry of Health’s implementation of robust initiatives addressing women’s health through its Directorate of Women’s Health – a centralised national coordinating team responsible for strategic and operational planning could have been one of the factors contributing to the successful rate, the ministry stated.
The ministry also said it has invested heavily in enhancing the required resources, including trained personnel, equipment and infrastructure at the Regional Health Authorities.
Critical to the continued success was the improved coordination and communication of all relevant stakeholders across public and private health sectors. The ministry also continues to create and implement standardised clinical care protocols specifically to improve the health and wellbeing of mother and child.
The ministry stated, “The Ministry of Health congratulates all members of staff who are responsible for delivering maternity and neonatal services in Trinidad and Tobago. The dedicated medical and allied healthcare staff continue to provide a high quality of care that has enabled Trinidad and Tobago to achieve and surpass this international benchmark.”
