All eyes on improving infant health in Saudi ArabiaAll eyes on improving infant health in Saudi Arabia

Adopt strategic approach to reduce infant mortality rate; workforce training and localised research are essential.

October 3, 2024

3 Min Read

National transformation programmes and policy reforms in the Middle East have prioritised enhancing healthcare systems to ensure accessibility, ascertain cost-effectiveness, improve life expectancy and overall quality of life. One crucial indicator of a nation’s health, social stability, and economic development is infant mortality. Currently, Saudi Arabia has an infant mortality rate (IMR) of 5.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it 63rd out of 253 countries globally. By comparison, developed G20 countries like Japan and Italy have the lowest IMRs of 1.6 and 2.2, respectively.

While the Kingdom has made significant progress in healthcare delivery and outcomes, there remains an opportunity for the country to continue improving and position itself as a leader in infant health. By implementing a comprehensive set of interventions during the next 15 years, Saudi Arabia could lower IMR by 50 per cent and could save 7,500 to 9,000 infant lives. That would elevate Saudi Arabia to be among the top 20 countries globally in terms of IMR, to a more vibrant and stable society while advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of improving health outcomes and increasing life expectancy.

Lowering IMR would also help grow Saudi Arabia’s economy by increasing its workforce and productivity. The economic value lost per death is estimated at more than SAR 9 million indicating significant long-term economic gains. In addition, implementing evidence-based care measures to reduce preterm births could improve health outcomes while lowering healthcare costs. This is especially important, as treatment costs for preterm low-birth weight infants can be 30 to 100 times higher than for full-term infants.

Reducing IMR calls for a comprehensive approach encompassing healthcare investments, workforce training, regulatory interventions backed by scientific studies, localised research and innovation, and evidence-based clinical interventions. Deploying real-time monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress and adjust as needed will be critical to success.

Four interventions have proven effective:

Antenatal screenings: Antenatal care including regular screenings delivered by trained healthcare providers increases the likelihood that potential complications will be identified early, allowing for timely medical intervention. Neonatal mortality decreases by 34 per cent in mothers who attend regular screenings.
Maternal supplementation: Research shows iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy can reduce the risk of infant death by 34 per cent during the first 11 months of life. This simple yet effective measure ensures that both mother and child receive essential nutrients for a healthy start to life.
Care immediately after birth. Delaying cord clamping by just two minutes has been found to reduce the risk of death before discharge for premature babies by 66 per cent. Promoting skin-to-skin contact, known as kangaroo mother care, has been associated with a 51 per cent reduction in mortality among infants with low birth weight. Additionally, neonatal cooling therapy, a treatment that involves cooling the body temperature of newborns who have experienced hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (damage to the brain caused by a lack of oxygen) has been shown to reduce infant mortality by 36 per cent.
Postnatal home visits. Regular monitoring and support during the critical early days of life are paramount for infants and mothers. Receiving the first postnatal care visit within two days of birth has been associated with 64 per cent lower mortality compared with those who did not receive a visit. Home visits promote breastfeeding and proper infant nutrition and reduce the risk of postpartum complications.

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to increase life expectancy, improve healthcare services, achieve long-term population health goals and elevate the Kingdom's position in global well-being indices. A targeted focus on reducing IMR supports all four.

The scientific evidence supporting the recommended clinical interventions is clear, and the potential for saving lives is enormous. By prioritising these measures and ensuring their adoption, Saudi Arabia can make significant strides toward a healthier, more prosperous future for all its residents.

References available on request