Global investment is needed so that countries can reduce neonatal mortality to below 12 deaths per 1000 live births by 2030.

During the Millennium Development Goals era of 1990-2015, global mortality in children under the age of five was reduced from 90 to 43 per 1000 live births.1 A series of vertical programmes that promoted immunisation and managed pneumonia and diarrhoea contributed to this dramatic reduction. The health posts are usually staffed by two health extension workers, who spend most of their time involved in outreach activities in the communities. Although these primary care workers provide some preventive and curative services to pregnant women and children, the health centres, which are staffed by midwives and health officers, are the first level that offers delivery services and newborn care by more qualified staff. [Extracted from the article]