Jipmer Tackles India's Neonatal Mortality Crisis with Newborn Health Campaign

In an effort to address India's high neonatal mortality rate, Jipmer has launched a week-long public awareness campaign as part of National Newborn Week. The campaign, themed "Newborn safety: Every touch, Every time, Every baby", aims to reinforce the importance of newborn health, a critical issue in the country.

According to the latest National Family Health Survey, India's neonatal mortality rate stands at 24.9 deaths per 1,000 live births. The common causes of death in the newborn period are premature birth, sepsis, and asphyxia. Jipmer's campaign focuses on promoting essential newborn care practices, including exclusive breastfeeding and simple interventions like kangaroo mother care (KMC) and handwashing, which can significantly improve neonatal survival.

Various Jipmer departments, led by the Neonatology department, are running a host of activities throughout the week, including health talks, discussions, seminars, and hands-on training for postnatal mothers, caregivers, and healthcare personnel. One of the central messages is the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding alongside supplements until the child is two years old. Exclusive breastfeeding is known to prevent diarrhea, pneumonia, and ear infections, while also boosting infant intelligence and immunity.