Standards for improving the quality of care for small and sick newborns in health facilities

Globally, millions of newborns face severe health complications or death each year due to prematurity, low birth weight, birth asphyxia, and infections. To combat this, the World Health Organization publication, “Standards for improving the quality of care for small and sick newborns in health facilities“, establishes a comprehensive framework to define, standardize, and improve inpatient newborn care.

The resource outlines eight core standards divided into three main dimensions: the provision of care, the experience of care, and health system resources. It emphasizes evidence-based clinical practices—such as thermal care, Kangaroo Mother Care, safe respiratory support, and rational antibiotic stewardship—alongside respectful, family-centered communication and protection of newborn rights. Furthermore, it stresses the necessity of robust information systems, functional referral pathways, competent multidisciplinary teams, and properly equipped physical infrastructure. Designed to support Universal Health Coverage, this document helps health planners, facility managers, and policymakers operationalize continuous quality improvements to optimize survival and developmental outcomes for vulnerable newborns.