'30,000 newborns die annually from neonatal tetanus'

The key public health campaign aimed towards protecting the health and well-being of mothers and their children launched here on Thursday. This campaign is particularly important in Pakistan, considering that neonatal tetanus still remains a major public health problem that contributes to 25 percent of the infant mortality in many areas.
It is estimated that at least 30,000 newborns die annually from neonatal tetanus in Pakistan. Through tetanus vaccination, we have the ability, the opportunity and the responsibility to ensure more children reach their first birthday.
The Government of Pakistan remains committed to intensified focus on achieving the global immunisation targets. This includes striving towards the global target of elimination of neonatal tetanus by 2010. From this week, over 2,600 field teams, including Lady Health Workers and other health workers will work to immunise nearly 3.4 million women of child bearing age in Lodhran, Pakpatan, Khanewal, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Rahim Yar Khan districts of Punjab.
With the support and commitment of federal and provincial governments, religious and tribal leaders, women organisations, health workers, media, teachers and communities will ensure all women of childbearing age are reached during this campaign being held from 9-21 February. Evidence from other countries has shown that through immunisation, neonatal deaths can be significantly reduced.
The efforts to reduce the burden of vaccine preventable diseases such as neonatal tetanus, measles and to promote child health will provide the basis for achieving other important health and development goals including the Millennium Development Goals. By improving immunisation and intensifying efforts to reduce the burden of disease from neonatal tetanus, Pakistan stands an improved chance of achieving the MDGs.-PR