Programme aims to help infants, mothers

A PROGRAMME has been launched to ensure the safety of women giving birth and to give every new-born a healthy start to life.
United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) maternal and child health specialist Dr Ghanashyam Sethy said the programme called Saving lives, spreading smiles (SLSS) was a comprehensive package of care aimed at reducing infant and maternal deaths by linking communities to health facilities and hospitals through an effective referral system.
The programme addresses issues such as neonatal hypothermia deaths and complications (low body temperature) in newborns.
The hypothermia alert device called the Bebi Kol Kilok detects drops in temperature in newborn babies and sets off an alarm to alert parents and caregivers.
To prevent and manage post-partum haemorrhage (excessive bleeding after delivery), an external pressure suit called the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment stabilises the woman and controls bleeding.
The Bebi Kol Kilok is available with pharmaceutical supplier Sesago Healthcare Limited and the anti-shock garment (mama hot kolos) is available in hospitals.
He said the programme focused on reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality.
Village health volunteers have been trained on how to use the kit. It has already save the lives of 1034 babies since 2016.