By Meena Gabeena, Save the Children Pakistan

“I am delighted that in 15 years of my service as a Lady Health Worker, I am finally being acknowledged for my hard work.” These words were spoken by Zahida Patta, from Sanghar, after receiving the best Lady Health Worker Award in Sindh, Pakistan.

Not many of us are aware of the strenuous efforts of over 100,000 women who have been trained as Lady Health Workers to provide community health services in rural areas. I was also one of those who were oblivious to the endeavours of these brilliant women.

Dr. Arefin Amal Islam, Deputy Director, Saving Newborn Lives, Save the Children Bangladesh

Newborn is probably a complicated time for a baby and its parents. Lack of knowledge in caring for newborns properly may be an important factor behind the largest share of child death in Bangladesh by newborn which is during the first 28 days of life.

By Pragya Vats, Campaign Manager Save the Children India

  With 309,000 children die on the day they are born in India every year, India has the dubious distinction of recording the most first-day deaths of children. It accounts for 29% of all the first-day deaths globally, the highest for any country, according to the latest ‘State of the World’s Mothers’.

  The world has made unprecedented progress in reducing maternal and child deaths, but not enough when for the most vulnerable of all – newborns (0-28 days old).

By Michael Foley, Director of Health and Nutrition for Save the Children Bangladesh