Success of Decreasing Neonatal Mortality in Turkey

Neonatal mortality rate has been higher in Turkey, 26/1000 in 1998, whereas 10/1000 in 2009. Within 11 years due to the advances in health policy, Turkey achieved a significant decrease in neonatal mortality, that Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries reached within 30 years. In order to determine prenatal, natal and early postnatal health care and to introduce new goals to preserve more qualitified health service throughout the country, “Infant Death Registry-Report Form” was formed by the leadership of Health Ministry of Turkey in 2005. This was the first step to be aware of the number and the causes of the neonatal deaths. Close antenatal care, attendence of skilled personnel to the deliveries, encouraging breastfeeding, prevention of hospital infections are some of the prevention strategies whereas standardized neonatal resuscitation programme wholeout the country, improvement of neonatal intensive care units and transportation conditions, increased number of skilled health personnel are the treatment solutions.