10 of 36
© 2021 Omar Havana
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 12: Meena Khatri, 24 years old, holds her 16-days-old son Bishu at the International Friendship Children’s Hospital while he is receiving medical treatment for a skin infection on his back on February 12, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Newborn babies can be at risk of developing infections due to weak immune systems that are vulnerable to viruses and bacterias. From 1996 to 2006, Nepal reduced by close to 50% its maternal mortality rate, going from 539 deaths in 100,000 to 281, making Nepal a success story. However, each year, 57,000 under-five children still lose their lives, with 54% of those cases occurring within the first month after birth. In 2013, only 50% of births were attended by skilled birth attendants. Several issues remain to be addressed with regards to maternal and newborn health, including tackling inequalities, improving access to care in remote areas, improving quality of care, increasing the use of family planning methods, and reducing malnutrition. Photo: © Omar Havana for UNICEF ROSA