Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC) enhances survival rates, promotes exclusive breastfeeding, and strengthens the mother-child bond: Dr Arya

Dr. Arya delivered an insightful lecture on the topic "Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care and Mother Newborn Care Unit: Journey from Evidence to Practice."Dr. Arya elaborated on her work as the Clinical Investigator for the Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care study in India, a study that has revolutionized neonatal care practices. She shared compelling evidence on how iKMC — initiated immediately after birth — enhances survival rates, promotes exclusive breastfeeding,

and strengthens the mother-child bond. Dr. Arya emphasized the importance of integrating MNCUs into healthcare systems, which allow mothers to stay with their newborns in specialized facilities, providing continuous skin-to-skin care and emotional support. “The journey from evidence to practice has not been without challenges, but the impact on neonatal survival is profound. These practices have been proven to reduce mortality and improve long-term outcomes for preterm and low-birth-weight babies,” she remarked.

The lecture, presided over by Dr. Radha Rangarajan, Director of CSIR-CDRI, highlighted the transformative potential of immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC) in neonatal health in saving lives, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Dr. Radha Rangarajan commended Dr. Arya's contributions to neonatal health, stating, “The work of pioneers like Dr. Arya bridges the gap between scientific research and real-world application, offering scalable, life-saving interventions for newborns. It aligns perfectly with CSIR-CDRI's mission to drive impactful translational research.”