National Newborn Week, 2021 was today launched in East Jaiñtia Hills district which aims to focus on raising awareness about the care of newborns under the theme, ‘Safety, quality and nurturing care – birth right of every newborn.’
Inaugurating the celebrations at the a function held at the Khliehriat CHC, District Medical & Health Officer, Dr. D. Shylla stressed on the importance of quality care of pregnant women and infants in the district.
The objective of the programme is to reduce infant deaths and maternal deaths, Dr Shylla said, adding, medical officers and paramedical staffs were instructed to take the initiative of fulfilling the objectives of the programme right up to the ASHA level. The ASHAs will be conducting home visits under Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) programme.
District Immunization Officer, Dr NP Suchiang called for due follow-up of high risk pregnant women for saving the lives of mothers and neonates in the district.
World Diabetes Day was also observed during the programme.