The concept of the "at-risk newborns" (8)

16 January, 2023

Dear Ruth,

Thank you for your comments. The challenges are indeed great, and those

actually dealing with the babies such as you or those who have had

experience, frequently realise this problem. However, people who are in the

decision making groups who are not dealing with babies are more difficult

to convince.

For many years, some of the authors and myself have tried to raise this

issue at many meetings without much success. Hence, we decided to write this

view point so that it receives wider attention. A peer-reviewed publication

has, hopefully, some strength.

Advocacy needs to target policy makers. As we noted in the article, it will

require some additional staff and some resources; but nowhere near what is

required in level II or III neonatal units.

Let us continue our efforts.

Indira

CHIFA Profile :

Indira Narayanan is currently Adjunct Professor, Pediatrics/Neonatology at the Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, USA and Independent Consultant, Global Maternal and Newborn Health. Professional interests: Maternal and Newborn Health, research, improving newborn care with emphasis on compassionate/respectful quality of care, health policies, program implementation, capacity building, social and behavior change communication. Her research includes the seminal randomized controlled studies on proving for the first time in world literature the clinical implications of the anti-infective properties of raw and heated human milk in neonatal units carried out during her work of 20 years in India. Email :inarayanan6 ATgmail.com