In 1989, the 42nd World Health Assembly called for elimination
of neonatal tetanus by 1995. In 1990, the World Summit for
Children listed neonatal tetanus elimination as one of its
goals, and the goal was again endorsed by the 44th World Health
Assembly in 1991. Due to slow implementation of the recommended
maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination strategies, the target
date for maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination was postponed
to 2000. In 2000, when the global elimination goal had still not
been reached, the elimination of maternal tetanus was added to
the goal with a 2005 target date. To prevent maternal and
neonatal tetanus, tetanus toxoid needs to be given to the mother
before or during pregnancy, and clean delivery and cord care
needs to be ensured. The immunized mother passes antitoxin via
the placenta to her fetus, thereby preventing neonatal tetanus.
In 2010, 1007 neonatal tetanus case were reported from the
Region. More than three quarters (76.3%) of the total tetanus
cases were reported in Pa