Neonatal mortality in Somalia is alarmingly high, with approximately 35 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2022, significantly exceeding the global average of 12 per 1,000 live births. Notably, neonatal deaths constitute a substantial portion of under-five mortality in the country.
According to the latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO), neonatal mortality is responsible for around 33% of deaths affecting children aged below 5 years in Somalia.
The leading causes of neonatal mortality in Somalia include birth asphyxia, prematurity, and neonatal sepsis. A study conducted in Mogadishu reported that birth asphyxia accounted for 29% of neonatal deaths, prematurity for 13.2%, and neonatal sepsis for 8.8%. Similarly, research in Hargeisa, Somaliland, identified asphyxia (34%), respiratory distress (27%), sepsis (16%), and prematurity (15%) as the most common diagnoses among admitted neonates.
These figures underscore the urgent need for improved maternal and newborn healthcare services in Somalia to address these preventable causes of neonatal mortality.