Gates Foundation blog examines Global Newborn Action Plan

Noting "hundreds of global health researchers, policymakers, civil society leaders, program managers, health practitioners, and newborn champions [are gathering] in Johannesburg, South Africa, this week at the Global Newborn Health Conference to discuss how to improve the poor statistics on newborn health," Gary Darmstadt, head of the Family Health Division of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Cyril Engmann, a senior program officer for neonatal health at the foundation, write in the organization's "Impatient Optimists" blog, "This collective analysis and effort should ensure that all aspects of newborn health are included in this plan." They continue, "We like to think of this as Global Newborn Action (with a) Plan. What we don't want out of this process is a pretty document sitting on a shelf somewhere and dusted off periodically." The authors add, "Most importantly, this Global Newborn Action (with a) Plan will build from and link to existing efforts for the entire continuum of care for women and children" (4/23).