The Assin Fosu Health Directory in the Central Region has recorded forty cases of Neonatal Mortality (children who die from first day to 28 days) in the year 2018.
Neonatal Mortality has become a challenge and concern for many stakeholders, especially, those in the health sector.
The Directorate also recorded 60 neonatal deaths in 2017 which translate into 14 deaths per 1,000 live births.
It is also believed that the number of neonatal mortality which occurs in the various villages without the attention of the Directorate runs into the double of the number of cases on record above.
The District Health Promotion Officer, Emmanuel Amoasi, who revealed this to PrimeNewsGhana in an interview at a neonatal mortality sensitization programme in Assin Akomfode, said even though harmful cultural practices contribute to the causes of death among the newborn, infections are the largest culprit.
He said infections contributed to about 31 per cent of death in newborns.
Mr Amoasi said pre-term and low birth weight; birth complications, including asphyxia, is the other leading causes of newborn deaths.
A nurse, Mary Arthur, added that the number of newborn deaths does not vary much across socioeconomic and educational backgrounds.