National Newborn Week (NNW) was launched across Nagaland on Monday. NNW which is observed from November 15-21 is aimed at raising awareness about the care of newborns on the theme, “safety, quality and nurturing care – birth right of every newborn”.
Kohima: Under the aegis of National Health Mission (NHM), office of the chief medical officer (CMO, Kohima along with Naga Hospital Authority (NHAK) organised the launching programme of NNW.
A press release from the CMO’s office informed that while chairing the programme, NHAK pediatrician Dr. Avono Sophie said that NNW initiated by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000 was celebrated every year during to reinforce the importance of newborn health as a key priority.
She stressed on key domains and activities – mentoring and quality visits to Newborn Care Units (SNCUs, NBSUs) and labour rooms, Quality Home Based Newborn Care visits (HBNC), Comprehensive Newborn Screening (CNS) at delivery points for visible/functional birth defects, follow up of SNCU/NBSU discharged newborn – SNCU online and follow-up of identified high risk pregnancies (HRP) by medical doctors.
State program officer (SPO), Dr. Thanghoi Lam spoke about the state scenario of newborn in the district and importance of SNCU functioning during the launching of NNW.
Medical superintendent, Dr. Sendimeren senior specialist also informed about SNCU and newborn as they were the core precious gems of human lives. He also cited that one should be careful about newborn care and their nurturing care during the delivery.
The programme was attended by specialist & nurses of NHAK, program officers from CMO’s office and DPMU Kohima.
Dimapur: Dimapur District launched NNW at district hospital Dimapur.
A press release from District Programme Management Unit (DPMU) Dimapur informed that during the programme, district programme officer (DPO), UIP/RCH Dr. Rebecca stated that the aim for celebrating the week was to raise awareness about the importance of the newborn care for child survival and development.
She stressed on the importance of newborn care as the neonatal period (the first 28 days of life) was a crucial period for child survival.
This period carries the highest risk of deaths per day than any other period during the childhood.
Dr. Rebecca said that in the first month of life, all newborns required essential newborn care to minimise the risk of illness and maximise their growth and development.
“The basic needs of a baby at birth are warmth, normal breathing, mother’s milk, and prevention of infection”, she informed.
She also said that providing these basic needs to newborn immediately at birth would ensure the baby’s survival and also prevent many newborn emergencies.
During the observation of NNW in the district, awareness on newborn care would be intensified in all the block levels during routine immunisations, VHNDs and home-based newborn care visit by ASHAs.
Mokokchung: In Mokokchung, NNW was launched with chief medical officer Mokokchung, medical superintendent IMDH, medical officer and staff at Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH), Mokokchung.
In a press release, CMO informed that during the observance, activities such as Home Based New born Care Visits (HBNC) by ASHAs, monitoring and quality visits to (SNCUs, NBSUs) and labour rooms and comprehensive new born screening at delivery points for visible/ functional birth defects would be carried out.
Phek: Phek district launched national newborn week on at Dr. Wethselo T. Mero memorial hall, district hospital Phek.
In a press release, district media officer, Kutolu Nakro informed that the programme was launched by CMO Phek Dr. Khriezotuo Paphino.
District hospital pediatrician, Dr. Seyiekhrietuo Rutsa highlighted the key domains and activities such as mentoring and quality visits to newborn care units, quality home based newborn care visits, comprehensive newborn screening at delivery points for visible/functional birth defects and newborn and follow-up of identified high-risk pregnancies.
The programme was attended by Mos, CHOs and other staff in the district.