‘Kangaroo mother care protects newborn from diseases’

LAHORE

Kangaroo mother care not only prevents a newborn from infection but also promotes exclusive breast-feeding and subsequently the child is saved from hypothermia and hypoglycemia.

Kangaroo mother care is a method of care practiced on babies, usually on a preterm infant, where the infant is held skin-to-skin with his mother, father, or substitute caregiver and the baby’s body temperature also remains normal. 

These views were expressed by the speakers at a seminar on “Mother care launching ceremony of Kangaroo” jointly organised by UNICEF, Policy Strategic Planning Unit (PSPU) and Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers).

Khawaja Salman Rafique, Minister for Specialised Health care and secondary and Punjab Primary and Secondary Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir were chief guests. 

Guests of honour Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan, Mukhtar Shah, Duglis G Higgings Chief UNICEF, Dr Tahir Manzoor health and nutritionists UNICEF, Dr So-fang, Dr Rubeena Sohail, Dr Nadeem Zaka, Dr Sardar Imam principal FJMU, Dr Sameena Naseer MS Lady Aitchison Hospital, Dr Shamsa Humayun, head of Gynae Department, Fatima Jinnah Medical University and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Ayesha Jahanzaib Rashid and others attended the seminar.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said mother is a great blessing of God. We are learning from Kangaroo how to protect newborn.

Lady health workers play a great role in protecting newborn, he added.

Khawaja Imran Nazir said doctors, nurses and paramedics have contributed a lot to health.

They saved tens of thousands of people. Ali Jan Khan said world sees micro indicators. Neonatal mortality needs more attention as without considering it infant mortality rate cannot be checked. Moreover, neonatal unit has been started at teaching hospitals. 

Dr Tahir Manzoor said 200,000 children die during first month after birth; Pakistan stands on 3rd number regarding death of children. He said 63 out of 1,000 children die during first month after birth. The ratio of neonatal mortality is increasing in Pakistan; that is why, one child dies in two minutes. Moreover, 75 percent births are premature. 

Dr So-feng said Kangaroo mother care should be implemented.

The government and departments concerned should play their role in it. Dr Rubeena Suhail said Kangaroo mother care is an ideal method. Mother needs training regarding this so that children’s lives could be saved, she added.

During Kangaroo mother care, weight of child must be kept in view and weight of child must increase from 15 to 20 gram on daily basis, she expressed. This process should be continued for seven days. 

Dugglus G Higgins said death ratio of children can be minimised by keeping them in Kangaroo mother care. Pakistan is progressing in this field. Health, education and current affairs senior editor of Daily Jang Wasif Nagi said prevention of disease is necessary. Prevention of diseases will not be achieved until awareness among masses is created, he added. Documentary was also presented in the event.

A mother Shazia shared her experience, her child‘s weight was only 1.5kg at the time of birth. Her child was kept in Kangaroo mother care room where his weight increased.   Dr Sameena Naseer said Kangroo mother care centre is present in Lady Aitchison Hospital.  Other speakers also addressed on the occasion.