Safety, quality and nurturing care birth right of every newborn: Dr Gyaneshwar Sharma
Jammu: National Newborn Care Week celebrated at HWC Kudwal. To mark the occasion, informative and interactive talks were delivered to the participants by Dr. Gyaneshwar Sharma aimed at raising awareness about the importance of newborn health and care. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Gyaneshwar Sharma observed that the neonatal phase (the first 28 days of life) is critical for infant survival, since it has the highest risk of death per day during infancy. The first month of life is also a crucial time for long-term health and development. Healthy newborns develop into healthy individuals who can thrive in their communities and societies.
Dr. Gyaneshwar Sharma maintained that every newborn, irrespective of their place, has the right to high-quality universal newborn health care. Babies have the right to breathe normally, be warm, be nourished, and be safe from infections and injuries. All newborns should have access to primary newborn care, which is vital for all babies in the first few days after birth. Essential newborn care includes immediate care at the time of birth as well as care throughout the neonatal period. It is required both in the hospital and at home.
Dr. Gyaneshwar Sharma further said that this year, 2024, the National Newborn Care Awareness Week theme is “Safety, Quality and Nurturing care – Birth Right of Every Newborn”. This initiative aims to highlight the critical importance of newborn care during the first days and weeks of life, a time when infants are most vulnerable. The campaign emphasizes the need for universal access to high-quality care to reduce neonatal mortality and improve long-term health outcomes, added Dr. Gyaneshwar Sharma.
Dr. Gyaneshwar Sharma said that the week underscores the importance of essential newborn care practices, such as proper thermal protection, early initiation of breastfeeding, and prevention of infections. It also stresses the need for health systems to provide safety and quality care during childbirth, as well as postnatal care, to prevent the leading causes of neonatal death, including infections, respiratory distress, and birth complications.In India, where neonatal mortality remains a significant health challenge, National Newborn Care Week helps raise awareness about these issues, mobilize resources, and encourage both governmental and community actions aimed at safeguarding the health of newborns, added Dr. Gyaneshwar Sharma
