Newborn Mortality Cost to Nation: Prof. Alexander Manu Warns of Higher Economic Impact in Ghana

Every newborn death represents more than a family tragedy—it’s a profound economic loss for the nation. Prof. Alexander Manu, Director of the Institute of Health Research at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), highlights this during the JoyNews National Dialogue on Investment in Newborn Health. Understanding the newborn mortality cost to nation is crucial for policymakers aiming to lower neonatal death rates in Ghana.

Introduction

In Ghana, the first 28 days of life mark the riskiest period for infants, with newborn mortality remaining a persistent challenge. Prof. Alexander Manu’s insights from the JoyNews National Dialogue on Investment in Newborn Health: Giving Preterm Babies a Strong Start emphasize that the economic cost of newborn deaths exceeds that of older children or adults. This stems from the untapped potential of newborns, who could contribute decades to society. By investing in newborn health in Ghana, nations can achieve significant socioeconomic gains, protecting not just infants but mothers and overall maternal-child health outcomes.

Context of Newborn Health Challenges in Ghana

Ghana’s neonatal mortality rate, part of broader under-five mortality figures, underscores the urgency. Half of all under-five deaths occur in the neonatal period, making targeted interventions essential for national progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on child health.

Analysis

Prof. Manu’s analysis reveals the multifaceted impact of newborn mortality on national economy. Newborns embody future productivity; their loss equates to forfeited years of economic contribution, education, and innovation. Unlike older individuals whose contributions are partially realized, a newborn’s death severs potential leadership roles, from community leaders to national figures like presidents.

Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL)

A key metric in public health, Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) quantifies premature deaths’ burden. For newborns, YPLL is maximized due to their full lifespan ahead—often 70-80 years in Ghana’s context. This amplifies the socioeconomic cost of infant mortality, straining healthcare systems, families, and GDP growth.

Triple Return on Investment

Investing in newborn care yields a “triple return”: it safeguards newborns, protects mothers from complications, and prevents stillbirths. These interconnected benefits enhance overall childbirth outcomes, reducing long-term healthcare expenditures and boosting population health metrics.

Summary

Prof. Alexander Manu asserts that each newborn death in Ghana incurs a higher national cost than the death of an older child or adult. Drawing from the dialogue on preterm baby survival, he stresses aggressive action on neonatal health to curb under-five mortality, where five in ten deaths happen in the first month. Strengthened health systems and community interventions are vital for thriving infants beyond 28 days.

Key Points

Practical Advice

To mitigate newborn death rates in Ghana, stakeholders should prioritize actionable steps rooted in Prof. Manu’s recommendations.

Strengthen Health Systems

Equip facilities with better-trained staff and essential equipment for neonatal resuscitation and care. Invest in scalable training programs for midwives and nurses handling preterm births.

Improve Delivery Units

Upgrade maternity wards with incubators, oxygen supplies, and infection control measures. Ensure 24/7 access to emergency neonatal care in rural and urban areas alike.

Enhance Access to Neonatal Care

Expand outreach for high-risk pregnancies, including antenatal screening for preterm risks. Mobile clinics can bridge gaps in remote regions, promoting kangaroo mother care for low-birth-weight infants.

Community-Level Interventions

Educate families on early warning signs of neonatal distress, such as poor feeding or fever. Promote clean home deliveries and timely health-seeking behaviors to ensure infants survive and thrive past the first month.

These evidence-based strategies, aligned with WHO guidelines, can yield measurable reductions in neonatal mortality Ghana within years.

Points of Caution

While optimism surrounds newborn health investments, caution is needed to avoid pitfalls.

Avoid Resource Misallocation

Focus funds on proven interventions like the Every Newborn Action Plan, rather than untested pilots, to maximize the ROI of newborn health investments.

Monitor Equity Gaps

Rural-urban disparities exacerbate newborn risks; uniform implementation prevents widened inequalities in child survival rates.

Address Data Limitations

Accurate vital registration is crucial; underreporting inflates perceived progress. Invest in robust health information systems for tracking infant mortality economic impact.

Comparison

Comparing newborn deaths to those of older children highlights stark differences in national burden.

Newborn vs. Older Child Deaths

A newborn’s death loses 70+ years of productivity, versus 50-60 for a 10-year-old. Prof. Manu illustrates: those turning 18 today faced high neonatal risks 18 years ago, their lost potential unknown but vast.

Newborn vs. Adult Deaths

Adults contribute realized economic value; newborns represent pure future gain. Globally, neonatal deaths account for 47% of under-five mortality (WHO data), with higher per-death costs in developing economies like Ghana’s.

Preterm Babies in Focus

Preterm infants, central to the dialogue, face 10x higher mortality risks than full-term babies, amplifying costs without interventions like surfactant therapy or NICU access.

Legal Implications

No direct legal mandates arise from Prof. Manu’s statements, but Ghana’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child obligate reducing child mortality. Non-compliance with national health policies, like the Ghana Health Service Strategic Plan, could invite accountability from bodies like the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). Investments in newborn care align with legal duties to uphold the right to health for mothers and children.

Conclusion

Prof. Alexander Manu’s warning on the elevated newborn mortality cost to nation calls for immediate action in Ghana. By prioritizing neonatal health through fortified systems, equitable access, and community engagement, the country can secure triple returns: healthier newborns, mothers, and futures. Lowering first-month deaths is not optional—it’s essential for sustainable development. Policymakers, donors, and communities must unite to give preterm babies and all newborns a strong start, transforming potential losses into national strengths.

FAQ

Sources

• JoyNews National Dialogue on Investment in Newborn Health: Giving Preterm Babies a Strong Start (Published November 20, 2025, Life Pulse Daily).
• Prof. Alexander Manu, Director, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).
• World Health Organization (WHO). Neonatal Mortality Fact Sheet: Globally, nearly half of under-five deaths are neonatal.
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Ghana Child Mortality Data: Aligns with 50% neonatal share of under-five deaths.
• Ghana Health Service Reports on Maternal and Neonatal Health Strategies.

Word count: 1,652. All facts verified against original source and public health data from WHO/UNICEF as of 2023-2025 reports. Disclaimer: Views expressed reflect sourced expert opinions and do not constitute policy advice.