Port Of Spain – The Ministry of Health Monday said that the country’s infant mortality rate is well within international standards amid a probe into the recent death of a new born.
“Trinidad and Tobago continues to record neonatal mortality rates well below the international benchmark set by the United Nations,” the ministry said in a statement.
It added that while the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 sets the neonatal mortality target to at least 12 per 1 000 live births, in 2021, Trinidad and Tobago achieved a rate of less than six per 1 000 live births.
It said that all United Nations member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, and from the inception of the SDG 2030, Trinidad and Tobago has achieved this international benchmark.
“Trinidad and Tobago’s 2021 newborn death rate is the lowest ever recorded for the country and was achieved despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” the ministry said.
It was noted that this sustained annual success results from its implementation of “robust initiatives” addressing women’s health through its Directorate of Women’s Health, a centralised national coordinating team responsible for strategic and operational planning.
“The Ministry has invested heavily in enhancing the required resources, including trained personnel, equipment and infrastructure at the Regional Health Authorities. Critical to the continued success is the improved coordination and communication of all relevant stakeholders across public and private health sectors. The Ministry also continues to create and implement standardized clinical care protocols specifically to improve the health and wellbeing of mother and child.” (CMC)
