YEREVAN. - UNICEF together with “Clear Water” will provide essential newborn care equipment to Noyemberian town hospital within the framework of a joint program geared to improve newborn health care in vulnerable communities of Armenia.

The equipment will provide the hospital an opportunity to undertake all necessary measures for saving infant’s life without transporting a newborn to a central-level hospital.

The hospital in Noyemberian registers almost 400 births a year and provides various medical services, including skilled birth attendance, to a total population of 20,000 people residing in the town and adjacent 17 villages.

According to official data, in Armenia 70% of deaths occurring before child’s first birthday happen during the first 28 days of life – neonatal period.

Most of these deaths could have been prevented, had timely and proper antenatal and neonatal care, resuscitation services been provided as well as necessary equipment available.