WHO Advocates for Early Newborn Screening to Save Lives

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the implementation of early newborn screening programs worldwide to reduce disabilities and improve child survival rates. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General, made this appeal on Tuesday while presenting a new report focused on newborn screening and interventions to enhance health outcomes for children.

The report highlights that birth defects contribute to almost 8% of deaths among children under five years old, with 90% of affected children born in low- and middle-income countries. Approximately eight million babies are born with birth defects each year globally.

Despite evidence that early detection can significantly improve outcomes, access to screening and treatment remains limited in many countries. Dr. Ghebreyesus stressed the importance of strengthening national screening systems and noted that some countries have successfully implemented large-scale screening programs, including Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Uganda.

The report calls for governments to integrate newborn screening into routine healthcare systems.