**3. The role of postnatal care in averting maternal and newborn deaths**

Postnatal care (PNC) plays a critical role in preventing morbidity and mortality in mothers and babies [1]. In sub-Saharan Africa, the predominant causes of maternal mortality are postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders and postpartum sepsis, while infections, low birth weight and asphyxia are the main causes of newborn deaths. These infections include those that are common in preterm babies such as sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia and diarrhea, nearly all of which can be prevented or managed with appropriate PNC [1]. If care is provided as soon as the baby is born, most of the neonatal deaths that happen within the first 48 hours of life can be avoided [14, 15]. For instance, interventions such as ensuring a clean and safe delivery, which includes having clean hands, perineum, delivery surface, cord-cutting surface and instruments, proper umbilical cord care in order to minimize infections in mothers and babies, and starting breastfeeding immediately after birth might reduce maternal and neonatal infections and associated mortality significantly [14–16]. In addition, the WHO PNC recommendations promote immediate and exclusive breastfeeding, examining the mother and baby for danger signs and referring patients appropriately [14]. Early PNC interventions for neonates include kangaroo care, breastfeeding assistance, hypothermia prevention and treatment, as well as case management and referral for pneumonia [1]. For preterm infants, low birth weight babies, infants with HIV-infected mothers, and other high-risk situations such as babies with neonatal jaundice or who have recovered from birth asphyxia, acute surgical problems, genital tract abnormalities, as well as orphaned and abandoned babies, specialized PNC monitoring is also recommended [1]. By providing key assistance that identifies warning signals, promotes beneficial behaviors, and streamlines referral procedures, postnatal care (PNC) plays a critical role in lowering morbidity and mortality rates in mothers and babies [1]. Given that interventions during the postnatal period can prevent a significant proportion of maternal and neonatal deaths, increasing efforts to improve uptake of postnatal care is particularly crucial for lowering maternal and neonatal mortality rates [4, 5].
