EVERY year, about 20 million babies with low birth weight are born worldwide. In the developing countries, prematurity is the main cause of neonate mortality. Globally, the neonate mortality rate (NMR) is 19 in 1,000 live births. In Pakistan, the NMR is 42, which is alarming. Hypothermia and low birth weight are the main causes ofsuch deaths.

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is the best and cost-effective method to decrease NMR in developing countries, like Pakistan. Chest-to-chest contact of the baby with the mother, exclusive breastfeeding and early discharge from hospital are the main KMC components.

Through chest-to-chest contact, the baby does not become hypothermic, and the closeness promotes breastfeeding as well. Through exclusive breastfeeding, the baby gains weight and the immune system becomes strong.

A study conducted to see the effectiveness of the KMC in Punjab reported massive change in post-intervention data compared to the baseline, indicating the effectiveness of KMC, which is safe, cost-effective and easy to execute. The government should raise social awareness regarding the KMC approach to educate the masses in order to bring down the rather high NMR.

Muhammad Nasir Karachi