The National Newborn week is celebrated between 15th – 21st November every year to reinforce the importance of neonatal health as a priority area of the health sector and reduce infant mortality. The theme of this year is “Home care of Newborn in urban area”. The Department of Pediatrics headed by Dr. Subash.S along with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Chengalpattu, organized various events every day. The entire week was fun and knowledge filled with participation of students, nurses, teaching and non teaching faculties of SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre.
It all started with the Inaugural Function which was felicitated with Lightening of Kuthuvilakku by our Pro.Vice chancellor Dr.Lt.col A.Ravikumar and our Dean Dr. A. Sundaram, Medical Superintendent Dr. R. Balamurugan, HOD Pediatrics Dr. S. Subash, Neonatologist Dr. C. Ashok.
The Post graduate symposium was organized on 15th November 2022 and the topic was “Cost-effective measures to decrease mortality in preterm neonates”. The following sub-topics were covered in the symposium by our respective post graduates.
1. Kangaroo mother care - Dr. Priyadharshini
2. Basics of CPAP - Dr. S.Preethi
3. Breast feeding for preterm - Dr. Christina
At the end of the symposium, certificates were distributed to the students who participated in the event.
A Guest lecture was organized on the next day(16-11-2022), the topic was “Care of Preemie in hospital – for a safe journey to home” – Dr. Binu Ninan, Director and HOD, Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology, MGM Hospital, Chennai gave an excellent talk about care of preemie.
At the end of the lecture, students clarified their doubts with the guest expert and certificates were given to the best performing NICU sisters by the Chief guest. The day was a knowledge quest and students had a wonderful experience and gained more knowledge.
On 17th November 2022, Basic NRP program was conducted for Nurses – IAP, NNF, FGM Project – Dr.C.Ashok, SRM, Dr.B.Gayathri Priyadharshini, SRM, Dr.Ravanan, Balaji Medical College, Dr.Arun Francis, Cadence Hospital were the course providers.
The Next day on 18th November 2022, Interactive session on Home care of newborn in urban area –Dr.Leslie Edward S Lewis, Professor & HOD, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, was Organized and again it was knowledge sharing event by the expert with very good experience and skills. The event was held through Zoom online platform where the expert joined virtually and shared his knowledge and expertise
On 19th November 2022, Nursing Students performed a Skit in Postnatal ward on routine care of Newborn, the skit was realistic and postnatal mothers really enjoyed the skit and they understood the very basic concepts of newborn care.
Mothers also clarified various doubts regarding feeding and newborn care from the experienced faculties who were present during the event. The event was fun and knowledge filled.
On 20th November 2022, Talk on Postnatal ward mother sensitization New-Born week: Routine care of New-Born and Danger signs identification. Our faculties and post graduate students had conversation with all post natal mothers, sensitized them regarding newborn care.
On 21st November 2022, the last day of newborn week was a Sensitization program on Neonatal Resustitation for CRMI's was conducted by Dr. Ashok C.
The week long event ended well with great emphasis was given to newborn care and all areas were well covered, thanks to all the faculties, students and the SRM Management for making the event a grand success.
