Promoting Newborn Cord Care

Location:

Introduction:

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a broad spectrum antiseptic that reduces bacterial colonization on the umbilical stump of newborns. JSI is assisting the Government of Nepal and other partners to reduce neonatal mortality by scaling up the use of chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care. Since its inception, 1.5 million babies received CHXChlorhexidine, 5,800 newborn deaths were prevented, and 67% of newborns now have access to CHXChlorhexidine. The April/May 2015 earthquake resulted in 9,000 people dying, 800,000 houses damaged, and 500 health facilities destroyed.

Project Description:

Following the earthquakes in 2015, the JSI-led program Chlorhexidine Navi Care Program (CNCP) quickly mobilized female community health volunteers (FCHVs) and staff to respond in the 15 districts most affected and rapidly distributed CHXChlorhexidine and trained health workers in its use thereby quickly scaling-up services to help those most affected.

Results:

Within months post-earthquake, JSI specifically assisted with continued scale-up of the program, distribution of the emergency relief packages for health volunteers, and capacity-building of service providers (1,308 health workers and 703 FCHVs). Consequently, the program supplied around 65,490 of CHXChlorhexidine gel tubes in these districts.

Lessons Learned:

Existing programs, staff, community members, and structures can be rapidly mobilized post disaster, thus expanding and/or returning to comprehensive MNHMaternal and newborn health services quickly.