All sick newborns presenting in the emergency room must be immediately assessed using a triage system to help identify those in need of emergency treatment, assessment and hospitalization. Investigations and diagnosis should be delayed till the infant is stabilized. This approach can prevent delay in institution of therapy and save many lives. Most deaths amongst sick infants brought to hospitals occur within the first 24 hours. Many of these deaths can be prevented if very sick infants are identified soon after they arrive at the hospital and appropriate treatment is started immediately. A survey of district and teaching hospitals from 7 developing countries revealed that two-thirds of the hospitals lacked an adequate setting for priority screening (or triage).