National Newborn Week begins in state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 16 2022: As in other parts of the country, National Health Mission (NHM), Manipur launched National Newborn Week, 2022 at State Mission director's office located at health directorate, Lamphelpat, here, on Wednesday.

Speaking at the launch programme, NHM, Manipur state mission director Dr Somorjit Ningombam informed that National Newborn Week is observed every year from November 15 to 21 with an objective to spread awareness on child survival and care for the newborn for a healthy nation.

For this year, the week is being observed on the theme 'Ensuring quality health care for every newborn'.

While stressing on the importance of child health care since birth so as to become a healthy adult, he informed that during the week-long observance many programmes will be held in different districts, blocks and at community level to make the people aware of child health care.

Pointing out that neonatal death, which is demise of a baby during the first 28 days of life, is high, Somorjit said that there is not much problem at the institutional level as the baby is minutely observed.

However, as inconveniences are encountered at community level, detection of health problems of the baby for timely treatment and the ways to take care of a new born child are essential to reduce neonatal death rate, he explained while adding that a new born child should be given mother's milk within one hour of birth.

The mission director continued that colostrum present in the first drops of milk of the mother will enhance immune system of the child and only the mother's milk should be given to the baby until they turn six months.

After that mother's milk along with complementary feeding can be done.

After cutting the umbilical cord stump, it should be dried and kept clean.

The old belief of putting oil, ghee or turmeric in the area should not be done as it will cause infection, he cautioned and maintained that ASHA workers who are working at community level have a huge role to play in creating awareness among the people.

The launch programme was also attended by NHM, Manipur nodal officer (child health) Dr Sadhana Ningthoujam and other officials of NHM, Manipur.

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