According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, about 8 million children are born with a birth defect in the world. Congenital anomalies cause 10 per cent of all newborn deaths and many of the babies who survive are at risk of carrying a lifelong disability if they do not have timely access to high-quality care.
However, the burden of death and disability differs by place of birth and is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, birth defects represent the second leading cause of neonatal and infant death after prematurity.
In this context, giving visibility and promoting the appropriate approach is essential to advance care that prevents and also improves the quality of life of people born with a congenital anomaly, as well as that of their families and communities.
In 2015, March 3 was established as World Birth Defects Day to raise awareness about the importance of developing and implementing prevention programs, as well as improving the quality of health services and care received by people with birth defects. congenital as their families.
Under the slogan "Every Journey Matters", the focus this year is on the diversity of experiences and the need to consider the particularities of each case.
No two people suffer from these diseases in the same way, not only because of the disease itself (which in each case is different) but also because of the contexts and environments in which they develop.
The way in which each child develops and lives his or her experience is unique and depends on multiple factors.
Health teams must accompany and support families to contribute to the maximum development and well-being of boys and girls!
