Neonatal survival in India thinking beyond resource limitations.

INDIAN PEDIATRICS 519 VOLUME 45_JUNE 17, 2008 I read with great interest the recent editorial “Improving Status of Neonatal Health in India”(1). We know from SEARCH trial (Gadchiroli), and from the example of Sri Lanka that investments in Level I and II care can bring significant reductions in neonatal mortality(1). We, however, rarely discuss overcoming negative parental attitudes in a large section of vulnerable communities like rural areas, urban slums in India, which can attribute significantly to neonatal mortality. Negative parental attitudes like gender bias, not seeking timely care for their sick newborns, not following medical advice in the presence of freely available services could arise from a feeling of helplessness due to poverty, social taboos and pre-fixed mindset(2,3).