NGAWANG JAMPHEL
Thimphu
On 15th May, Bhutan joined the global community in observing International Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Awareness Day at the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital, JDWNRH, Thimphu.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with national health agencies and development partners like WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA.
The theme for this year, “In Your Arms, I Thrive,” highlighted the life-saving benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care—a simple, low-cost method that involves holding premature or low-birthweight babies close to the mother’s chest for warmth, protection, and emotional bonding.
This method is known to significantly reduce the risks of infection, hypothermia, and death in newborns who are born too soon or too small.
Kangaroo Mother Care is an effective and evidence-based approach that focuses on skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding. It provides vital warmth and nourishment to newborns who are vulnerable and helps in strengthening the emotional bond between mother and child.
Global studies have shown that KMC can reduce neonatal deaths by up to 40%, lower infections by almost 50%, and cut the risk of hypothermia by over 70%.
In developing countries, especially those with limited resources, KMC has proven to be a highly effective way to save the lives of newborns without relying on expensive medical equipment.
As part of the event, the Ministry of Health launched two important national health strategies. The first was the Integrated RMNCAH+Health of Ageing Strategy, which aims to improve healthcare across all stages of life—from birth to old age.
The second was the Bhutan Every Newborn Action Plan (BENAP), which outlines practical steps to reduce preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths in Bhutan.
Both strategies reflect the government’s strong commitment to improving maternal and child health services and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
The Ministry of Health is actively working to scale up KMC services as part of the Comprehensive Mother and Child Health Program. It is also making efforts to introduce and strengthen KMC in hospitals and health centers across the country, including remote and rural areas.
Further, training programs for health workers, community outreach, and public awareness campaigns are being carried out to ensure that more families benefit from this simple yet powerful practice.
The event was attended by health officials, doctors, nurses, development partners, and parents. It served as an important platform to share experiences and reinforce the importance of quality newborn care.
The Ministry also encouraged media coverage to help spread awareness about Kangaroo Mother Care and its impact on saving lives.
