MODULE ON NEWBORN HEALTH AND BIRTH REGISTRATION

Introduction

The first days and weeks of life are the most critical for a child’s survival and long-term health. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to illness and complications, making quality newborn care essential for reducing neonatal mortality and ensuring healthy development. At the same time, birth registration is a fundamental right that provides legal identity and access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and social protection.

This module is designed to equip healthcare workers, community health volunteers, and caregivers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to promote and support newborn health and ensure timely birth registration within communities. It emphasizes an integrated approach that combines life-saving newborn care practices with effective civil registration systems.

Participants will learn about:

• Essential newborn care practices immediately after birth
• Identification of danger signs in newborns and early intervention
• Importance of exclusive breastfeeding and proper nutrition
• Infection prevention and maintaining hygiene for newborns
• The role and process of birth registration
• Barriers to birth registration and strategies to improve coverage
• Community engagement to promote newborn survival and legal identity

By the end of this module, learners will be able to support families in providing appropriate newborn care, recognize when to seek medical attention, and advocate for timely birth registration to ensure every child is recognized and protected.

This course supports national and global efforts to improve newborn survival rates and achieve universal birth registration, contributing to stronger health systems and inclusive societies.