Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 15 November 2024
National Newborn Week (NNW) will be observed from November 15 to 21, 2024, with the theme ‘Optimising Antimicrobial Use to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Newborns.’ The week-long observance aims to raise awareness about the importance of newborn care for child survival and development, with a particular focus on addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
The theme highlights the need for careful antibiotic use during the neonatal period to prevent antibiotic resistance. It emphasises the implementation of essential maternal and child health services in healthcare facilities, while also fostering strong connections with the community to ensure that newborns not only survive but thrive in good health. The goal is to ensure that both health workers and families play an active role in safeguarding the health of newborns, whether at healthcare facilities or in the community.
As part of the campaign, caregivers of newborns discharged from newborn care units will be educated on how to recognise signs of infection and encouraged to seek prompt medical attention at healthcare facilities. This guidance will help prevent delays in addressing health concerns at the community level.
Additionally, the general public has been urged to extend their cooperation to ANMs and ASHAs during community follow-ups of newborns throughout the National Newborn Week. This collective effort is vital to enhancing newborn care and combating the rise of antimicrobial resistance, ensuring the well-being of newborns across the country.