Dear CHIFA members,
I am Dr. Arti Maria, MD, DM (Neonatology), Professor of Neonatology and Dean at ABVIMS & Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi. With over two decades of experience in neonatal care, I have had the privilege of leading transformative initiatives, including the development of the “Nurturing
Beyond the Womb” package.
We have successfully developed a human-centered, evidence-informed audio-visual (A-V) training package aimed at empowering healthcare professionals (HCPs) to deliver nurturing care to small and sick newborns (SSNBs). This package is based on the principles of Family-Centered Care
(FCC) and the WHO Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) and integrates evidence-based practices to enhance early intervention, family engagement, and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Key Features of the Training Package:
- Evidence-informed A-V modules integrating developmentally supportive practices in neonatal care units to improve quality of care and optimize neurodevelopmental outcomes for high-risk newborns.
- Comprehensive coverage of responsive caregiving, maternal mental health, and transitional care for high-risk neonates.
- Actionable strategies for integrating family-centered practices in neonatal care.
- Scalability and adaptability of training materials, ensuring alignment with global standards.
To further strengthen and expand this initiative, I am seeking collaborations with experts in neonatal public health, developmental care, and related disciplines such as anthropology.
I invite researchers to contribute in the following ways:
1. Reviewing and finalizing the training package
2. Co-authoring a publication in a high-impact journal to disseminate findings globally
3. Pilot Testing the training package and developing a replicable implementation model
4. Qualitative Assessment of the acceptability and feasibility of early intervention
packages for newborns
5. Collaborating on additional publications in high-impact journals to share key findings
internationally
Seeking International Collaborators
I would appreciate your support in connecting me with experts in newborn public health, neonatology, developmental care, and anthropology from UK, US, Australia, European, African, and South Asian countries who may find this work relevant and impactful.
This project represents a unique opportunity to advance neonatal care on a global scale, and I invite researchers with relevant experience to collaborate. Interested professionals are encouraged to share their affiliations, areas of expertise, and potential conflicts of interest (if any). I would be happy to conduct a webinar if this aligns with your interests and also invite you to join a collaborative writing group that I am currently constituting, with representation from various countries.
I look forward to connecting with professionals, particularly from LMICs, who may be interested in contributing to this initiative.Those interested may directly communicate with me through my email address artimariaATgmail.com ordr artimariaATgmail.com
Best regards,
Dr. Arti Maria MD, DM (Neonatology)
CHIFA proflie:
Arti Maria is Professor & Head, Dr.Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India. Professional interests: Looking after the inborn and referral neonatal units of north India, at Post Graduate teaching Institute of Medical Education & Research of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, catering to provide quality care to the sick newborns referred from various parts of North India. Practicing, teaching and engaging in research in neonatology for the last about 22 years in various prestigious teaching hospitals of India. Over the last 10 years, we have innovated and institutionalised family centred care (FCC) for sick newborns, that is now a national health program to be scaled up through the public health system of India. I have led and initiated various research aspects of FCC including developing an implementation framework, doing QI initiatives to improve various neonatal outcomes and engage in Qualitative aspects as well as the followup outcomes of family centred care (FCC). Has some pioneering work on preterm brain injury (PVL) as part of her DM dissertation. Has been a central coordinating team member with IndiaCLEN, and participated in various public health projects. Email address: artimariaATgmail.com