AP Launches Campaign to Protect Newborns’ Health
Newborn Care Week to be observed across state till Nov. 21
Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh government has launched a week-long programme to protect newborns’ health and ensure continuous medical care for their healthy growth.
Newborn Care Week-2026 began on Sunday and would continue across the state till November 21.
The initiative is being organised in accordance with the guidelines of the child health division of the Union health and family welfare ministry and instructions issued by state National Health Mission director Chakradhar Babu.
The theme for this year’s observance is ‘Newborns – Precious Wealth’, with the slogan, ‘Let us ensure continuous medical care for a brighter future of newborns’. Special emphasis is being placed on providing uninterrupted healthcare to low-birth-weight babies.
Various activities would be conducted through government health facilities across all districts. Special attention would be given to newborns discharged from Special Newborn Care Units and Neonatal Intensive Care Units, with regular medical examinations and follow-up care at home, state nodal officer Subramanyam said.
District health officers would organise online meetings and awareness programmes. Training would also be provided to medical officers, staff nurses, community health officers, auxiliary nurse midwives and ASHA workers under the Safe Care of Newborns and Children programme.
Details of every baby discharged from SNCUs and NICUs would be registered on the ‘Shaishav’ app to facilitate continuous health monitoring and follow-up medical services.
As part of the coordinated home-based healthcare initiative, ASHA workers, ANMs and CHOs would visit newborns on the first, third and seventh days after birth. Anganwadi workers would make another visit on the 28th day to assess the baby’s health and monitor the availability of medical care.
The government is also implementing the SAANS programme to prevent pneumonia among children through early detection and timely treatment. Parents have been advised to take children below five years of age to the nearest health facility if they develop symptoms such as cough, fever or rapid breathing.