The newly released 2023 Situation Analysis Report on National Newborn Health (SITAN) comprehensively evaluates Uganda’s progress and persistent challenges in neonatal survival and care. Conducted by leading health institutions, including the Centre of Excellence for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health at Makerere University School of Public Health, the report offers evidence-based recommendations to accelerate progress toward global and national goals.
Key Highlights from the SITAN Report
Progress in Reducing Neonatal Mortality
Uganda has reduced the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) by 20% over the last 15 years, dropping from 27 deaths per 1,000 live births to 22 per 1,000 live births (2022 UDHS). This milestone reflects increased investments in maternal and newborn health services.
However, with 1.7 million annual births, the country still faces significant challenges:
32,000 neonatal deaths each year.
26,000 stillbirths annually.
4,800 maternal deaths annually.
Over 250,000 newborns requiring specialized care annually.
Urgent action is required to meet the SDG 3.2 target of 12 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.
Health Systems Assessment for Newborn Care
The report utilized a mixed-methods approach involving:3,542 households, 43 health facilities, 29 key informant interviews (KIIs), and 9 focus group discussions (FGDs).
Findings reveal:
Gaps in health facility readiness to handle maternal and newborn emergencies.
Only a fraction of districts meet the WHO recommendation of having at least one level-2 newborn care unit.
Regional inequities, with districts like Karamoja and Busoga lagging behind in health service indicators like antenatal care coverage and institutional delivery rates.
Community and Facility-Level Newborn Care Practices
Community Level: Village Health Teams (VHTs) play a critical role in sensitization, mobilization, and referrals, yet their impact is limited by inadequate capacity and resources.
Facility Level: Readiness to provide care for small and sick newborns falls short of WHO standards. While postnatal care (PNC) has expanded, less than 80% of mothers and babies receive essential follow-up care.
Recommendations for Accelerated Progress
Invest in Specialized Newborn Care: Expand WHO-recommended level-2 newborn care units to cover at least 80% of districts.
Strengthen Community Health Systems: Equip VHTs with tools and resources to improve continuity of care, community sensitization, and emergency referrals.
Promote Women’s Empowerment: Focus on education and family planning to address high fertility rates, particularly in underperforming regions.
Improve Quality of Care:Scale up healthcare provider training and enforce national quality standards for maternal and newborn health services.
Reduce Inequities: Develop targeted interventions for underserved regions to address logistical and financial barriers to care.
A Call for Action
To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Development Plan III objectives, Uganda must double its annual rate of neonatal mortality reduction. The Ministry of Health and its partners are urged to prioritize newborn health in national acceleration plans, with a focus on addressing regional inequalities and humanitarian challenges.
For a deeper understanding of Uganda’s newborn health landscape and actionable insights, download the full Situation Analysis Report—2023 Update from the attached link.