A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has revealed that the stillbirth rate in Argentina, Guatemala, India, Pakistan and Zambia has dropped by 30% after the Newborn Care Training regimen was offered.

The study observed 120,000 births in these countries.

The study scrutinized the effectiveness of the Newborn Care Training that lays emphasis on early breastfeeding, signs of serious health problems and provides measures on how to keep the baby dry and warm.

"These findings suggest that a low-cost instructional regimen for birth attendants can be effective in reducing stillbirths in parts of the world where most births are not attended by a physician", said Dr. Alan E. Guttmacher, acting Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

The World Health Organization has estimated that, in addition to more than 3 million stillbirths worldwide, each year, nearly 4 million infants die in their first month of life.

Before the tracking of the data, the local health officials underwent training where they learnt to assess infant health, diagnose stillbirth.

Also, one healthcare worker from each of the participating countries acquired the Newborn Care Training.

"Our results show that training in essential newborn care can play a role in improving birth outcomes in the developing world", said Dr. Wright.