Kathmandu, Aug. 8 -- Neonatal deaths at the Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital, Thapathali have fallen by more than two-thirds over the last five years, thanks to a series of measures the hospital has implemented to improve newborn care.

According to the hospital administration, neonatal deaths at the hospital stood at around eight per 1,000 live births five years ago. The number has now declined to around 2.5 percent.

"Due to various preventive measures taken by our hospital administration, we have been successful in reducing newborn deaths," said Dr Shree Prasad Adhikari, director of the hospital. "Our success shows that neonatal deaths can be reduced further and there is still room for improvement."

Neonatal means the first 28...