Montevideo, October 15, 2021- CLAP/PAHO- Nearly 40 professionals from 11 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in a virtual meeting to update the contents of the Neonatal Module of the Perinatal Computer System (SIP).
The purpose of the event was to assess the participants’ experience in the implementation of the SIP Neonatal Module, to review it and identify the areas and variables that would need reformulation. The activity was aimed at professionals from the countries familiar with the SIP Neonatal Module, neonatal health experts and people responsible for the implementation of programs at the Ministries of Health.
A number of facts show the need to modify some of the contents of the neonatal component. Factors range from the high share of neonatal mortality within infant mortality, to specific practices, through the evidence that emerged since the last update of the component in 2013. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption of essential interventions for some groups, including small and seriously ill newborns, has highlighted the importance of strengthening interventions and care for this population.
The participants at the meeting managed to set forth new guidelines for the reformulation of this specific module, and after some consultation and debate they agreed as to the steps that should follow.
Likewise, they considered it urgent and priority to have data to oversee and monitor the coverage of essential interventions and perinatal outcomes, in light of the commitments assumed by Member States regarding the elimination of perinatal deaths of avoidable cause and favoring access to quality care. In this regard, the group of participating experts deemed it pertinent to establish a regional network for the monitoring and surveillance of tracking indicators, to contribute to the attainment of the objectives established.
