PAHO launches awareness campaign & app to encourage quality care for infants in region

Caribbean and Latin America: A campaign has been launched by the Pan American Health Organisation – PAHO to raise awareness and encourage quality care for infants (particularly between the initial 28 days). The regional health agency cited the first 2-3 weeks after a baby is born is very vital and is the time during which the risk of infant mortality is highest. 

PAHO noted this 28 days campaign under the title – ‘Time to Care and Love’ is initiated and aims to improve the – knowledge, skills and self-confidence of mothers, fathers, families and caregivers of babies. 

PAHO’s Latin American Centre for Perinatology – (CLAP) is also coordinating the campaign, which will also be raising awareness among the health experts regarding the significance of good care techniques to reduce neonatal mortality. 

As per the data shared by the PAHO, at least seven individual out of every 1,000 infants dies within the time period of the first month only, and 255 infants (who are not even one month old) die daily. Although, the rate varies in different countries of the region. 

Dr Pablo Durán, PAHO’s regional advisor on perinatal health, speaking on the issue and initiative, cited, “Universal access to timely and quality care for mothers as well as the newborns, as well as family involvement in the care of infants, are critical for babies to survive and thrive“.  

As a part of this initiative, the regional health agency will be sharing 28 key messages regarding newborn care throughout the month of February. In addition, an app will also be launched by PAHO, where parents, caretakers and healthcare professionals will be guided in the ways of caring for the baby.  

This app of PAHO will also provide a ten-step document for decision-makers to promote the policy developments to improve newborn health in the Americas region.