In India out of every 1000 newborn babies, 70 die during the first year of life. The most crucial phase is the neonatal period i.e., 0-4 weeks of life, since two-thirds of all newborn deaths occur during this period. The causes of death among the newborns are infection, lack of oxygen to the fetus and newborn baby, premature deliveries, complications at the time of delivery and birth defects. The aim of the ‘Newborn week’ is to generate awareness and suggest measures to improve the health of the newborn and subsequently their survival. It is also a known fact that exclusive and essential care to the mother during her pregnancy as well as during her delivery and after translates to the best possible care for her newborn. Keeping this in mind, this year’s Newborn week theme is focused on “Gender gap in neonatal survival- Time to Act”. Reflecting on India’s declining trend of sex ratio at birth, strategies and actions are required to ensure that a girl child survives all the odds. It should be also kept in mind that if India has to progress as a vibrant country, we Indians should focus and try to improve the male to female sex ratio, which serves as one of the best index to promote this growth.  

Based on this theme, number of activities were organized by Manipal College of Nursing for the postnatal mothers, their newborns, staff and the students as part of the newborn week celebrations.

Various activities planned and conducted:

Activity 1: Write Up on the Theme
To enhance awareness regarding the theme and its importance to the present status of India, a one-page write-up on the theme, was held for the staff and students of Manipal Academy of Higher Education on 28 October 2017. The participants were awarded with a letter of appreciation.

Activity 2: Broadcast in Radio - FM-90.4 MHz
To promote awareness among the public regarding the theme, a role-play followed by a talk regarding the theme “Gender gap in Neonatal Survival-Time to Act" in Hindi was delivered by first year M.Sc Nursing students of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing specialty, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal. The students were guided by Mrs. Pratibha, Assistant Professor, Department of OBG Nursing and Mrs. Sheela Shetty, Assistant Professor-senior scale, Department of Child Health Nursing. The role-play and the talk highlighted the importance of gender gap, the various social determinants of the same and the declining sex ratios. The program was broadcasted on 17 November 2017 at 5 pm, 18 November 2017 at 12 Noon and subsequently re-broadcasted on 21 November 2017 at 5 pm at Radio FM 90.4 MHz.  

Activity 3: Awareness program on “Gender gap in Neonatal Survival-Time to Act" as well as newborn care for the postnatal mothers and their caregivers

An interactive health education session on various aspects of newborn care as well as an awareness program on the theme “Gender gap in Neonatal Survival-Time to Act" was conducted for the postnatal mothers who were admitted to the postnatal wards of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal and their caregivers on 17 November 2017 by Mrs. Anjaline D’Souza, Assistant Professor- Selection grade, Department of Child Health Nursing and Mrs. Sushmitha Karkada, Assistant Professor- Senior scale, Department of OBG Nursing. Fifteen postnatal mothers, their caregivers as well as their family members actively participated in this session and were benefited out of teaching. Concerns of the mothers were clarified during the session. Following the session, an assessment was conducted to assess the knowledge gained by the postnatal mothers from the session. The highest scorer among the postnatal mothers was awarded.  

Activity 4: Awareness program on “Gender gap in Neonatal Survival-Time to Act" as well as newborn care for the postnatal mothers and their caregivers

An interactive health education session on various aspects of newborn care as well as an awareness program on the theme “Gender gap in Neonatal Survival-Time to Act" was conducted for the postnatal mothers who were admitted to the postnatal wards of Dr. TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi and their caregivers on 18 November 2017 by Mrs. Shobha, Lecturer, Department of OBG Nursing. Ten postnatal mothers, their caregivers as well as their family members actively participated in this session and were benefitted out of teaching. Concerns of the mothers were clarified during the session. Following the session, an assessment was conducted to assess the knowledge gained by the postnatal mothers from the session. The highest scorer among the postnatal mothers was awarded.  

Activity 4: Educating the health professionals

To sensitize the health professionals regarding the theme “Gender gap in Neonatal Survival-Time to Act" as well as to make them aware regarding various aspects of essential newborn care, sessions were arranged on 20 November 2017. Dr. Leslie E Lewis, Professor Pediatrics and Incharge of NICU, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal discussed the importance of the theme for the growth of India. He stressed on the importance of empowerment of a girl /woman for a positive change in a country like India. He also conducted a session on basic Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) for the participants, stressing on the prominence of slogan “Give a breath, save a life” to save lives of newborns.  

The second session was conducted by Dr. Nisha Rebello, Medical Officer, Rashtriya Bala Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK), Udupi Taluk on “Government schemes for women and children”. She informed the audience regarding the various schemes available and how women and children, who are very vulnerable section of the society, could be benefited from the same. This session was followed by another session on “Complementary feeding for newborns and infants” by Dr. Reshma Pai, Medical Officer, Rashtriya Bala Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK), Udupi Taluk. The session highlighted the importance of locally available and seasonal foods to be given for the infants. A total of 17 postgraduates and 12 health professionals benefited from the sessions.  

Activity 4: Slum visit and awareness program
To galvanize support and build an alliance locally with individuals and also to sensitize people in the community on the theme “Gender gap in Neonatal Survival-Time to Act", a slum visit and an awareness program was organized for the slum dwellers of Saralabettu Slum by Dr. Maria Pais, Assistant Professor- senior scale and Mrs. Ranjani P, Assistant Professor- senior scale, Department of OBG Nursing on 21 November 2017. Awareness regarding the importance of the theme, various aspects of neonatal care, government schemes for women and children and complementary feeding for infants were discussed. Around 20 women participated and benefited from the program.At the end of the program, sweets were also distributed.

The one-week event was organized by the faculty members and I MSc Nursing students of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing and the faculty members of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal and coordinated by Mrs. Binu Margaret, Assistant Professor- Selection grade, Department of Child Health Nursing, Dr. Sonia R.B D’Souza, Associate Professor and Mrs. Sweety Fernandes, Assistant Professor, Department of OBG Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal.