Busia County has introduced the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) initiative to reduce its neonatal mortality rate, which is currently 21 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Grace Midambo, the county’s Child Health Coordinator, explained that KMC is a cost-effective method involving skin-to-skin contact between caregivers and preterm or low birth-weight infants, aimed at improving child survival rates. She noted that prematurity and low birth weight are major causes of neonatal deaths and that KMC will reduce referrals to Busia County Referral Hospital.
The initiative was highlighted during a training session for health workers, co-sponsored by Nutrition International. Juliet Nduta, Program Coordinator at Nutrition International, assured support for raising awareness about KMC in local communities.
Additionally, the Department of Health and Ministry of Health launched a program to promote breastfeeding as a key intervention to reduce infant mortality. This initiative follows findings from the recent Kenya Demographic and Health Survey.
Susan Outa, Public Health Chief Officer, announced that all health facilities in Busia will receive funding to establish breastfeeding corners and work towards being accredited as “Baby Friendly.” These efforts focus on providing critical care during the first 1,000 days of life.
Dr. Emma Namulala, a pediatrician at Busia County Referral Hospital, confirmed that KMC improves survival for low-birth-weight babies and emphasized the importance of supporting vulnerable newborns. The county aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing neonatal deaths to 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030.
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