Abstract

The declining of children under five of age mortality has been seen over several decades. But the rate of neonatal death remains stagnant. Neonatal death is crucial if one want to decrease the under five mortality as it has been stated as the fourth goal of the Millennium Development Goals. At year 2000 there were 130 million births, among whom 4 million was died during neonatal period, which was 2/3 from the infant death. Two third of the neonatal death occurred at the first week of life and 99% happen in developing countries. The timing of maternal death mostly occurred at the end of pregnancy, at birth and within one week after delivery. Intervention of maternal and neonatal death should be done simultaneously. Evidence have showed that simple measures on communi-ty based approach are able to reduce neonatal and maternal mortality significantly. WHO and UNICEF in 2009 have made joint statement: “Home visits for the newborn child: a strategy to improve survival”. There were 7 points of recommendation that need to be addressed by countries who want to reduce neona-tal mortality. Each country should look at the existing program and make necessary changes accordingly.