Early diagnosis can save lives, prevent lifelong disability — Tedros
By Chioma Obinna
The World Health Organisation, (WHO) on Tuesday raised concerns over the growing burden of birth defects globally, calling on countries to expand newborn screening programmes to improve early detection and access to treatment.
WHO in its newly unveiled report highlighted newborn screening as a critical strategy to reduce child mortality and prevent lifelong disabilities caused by congenital conditions.
According to the report, Strengthening Capacity for Newborn Screening, Diagnosis and Management of Birth Defects, an estimated eight million babies are born with birth defects each year, with such conditions now accounting for nearly eight per cent of deaths among children under five worldwide.
