Strategies discussed at the XIIth international conference on Kangaroo mother care for implementation on a countrywide scale

Abstract

Aim: Building strategies for the country-level dissemination of Kangaroo mother care (KMC) to reduce the mortality rate in preterm and low birth weight babies and improve quality of life. KMC is an evidence-based healthcare method for these infants. However, KMC implementation at the global level remains low.

Methods: The international network in Kangaroo mother brought 172 KMC professionals from 33 countries together for a 2-day workshop held in conjunction with the XIIth International KMC Conference in Bogota, Colombia, in November 2018. Participants worked in clusters to formulate strategies for country-level dissemination and scale-up according to seven pre-established objectives.

Results: The minimum set of indicators for KMC scale-up proposed by the internationally diverse groups is presented. The strategies for KMC integration and implementation at the country level, as well as the approaches for convincing healthcare providers of the safety of KMC transportation, are also described. Finally, the main aspects concerning KMC follow-up and KMC for term infants are presented.

Conclusion: In this collaborative meeting, participants from low-, middle- and high-income countries combined their knowledge and experience to identify the best strategies to implement KMC at a countrywide scale.

Keywords: Kangaroo mother care; health plan implementation; low birth weight infants; premature infants.

FIGURE 1

Routine data needs of different health system levels, adapted for kangaroo mother care. Based on: Louise T. Day et al, Chapter 5 “Use Data for Action” (Figure 5.1) “Survive and Thrive Transforming care for every small and sick newborn” WHO 2019

FIGURE 2

Conditions for engagement and progress with KMC implementation and scale‐up