Golden Minute at risk

Urgent need for on-site neonatal expertise at Civil Hospital Karachi

Abstract

Dear Editors,
Pakistan has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in the world. The main causes are well known – birth asphyxia, prematurity, and infection.1 These are not rare or unexpected problems. In many cases, they are preventable. Yet they continue to account for a large number of neonatal deaths, particularly in busy public-sector hospitals.
Civil Hospital Karachi is one such setting. It serves a very large population and manages a constant, high volume of deliveries. In this environment, the difficulty is not recognizing neonatal illness but providing timely care, the moment it is needed most (...).