Strengthening Neonatal Mortality Audits in Zaatari and Azraq Refugee Camps in Jordan: Annual Report

The Neonatal Death Audit is the process of assessing factors related to a neonatal death. Audits are conducted in a no-blame, interdisciplinary setting. They aim to improve the care provided to all mothers and babies. Death reviews provide opportunities to examine the circumstances surrounding neonatal death, as well as the immediate and contributing causes leading to such cases. The Neonatal Death Audit also informs relevant parties of the quality of health care services provided to women and their babies during both their pregnancy and delivery. This information ultimately servers to prevent future morbidity and mortality.

In line with its Global Strategy for Public Health (2014 – 2018)4 , and with the support of the Gates Foundation, UNHCR started a project to improve neonatal care. The project focuses on low cost interventions in Jordan, Kenya and South Sudan. UNHCR Jordan approached EMPHNET to assist in conducting the neonatal mortality audits in the refugee camps in Jordan namely; Zaatari and Azraq camp.

Collectively, the Zaatari and Azraq Camps host approximately 130,000 refugees. Most of these refugees have lived in the Zaatari camp for three to five years, while in the Azraq camp, they have lived for two years. Pregnant women receive regular checkups in the camps clinics throughout their pregnancy. They usually deliver their babies in camp hospitals. However, complicated cases are referred to other health facilities when needed.