Kangaroo Care (iKMC) combines skin-to-skin contact with training and support on exclusive breastmilk feeding and newborn danger signs.
This targets the two leading risk factors for neonatal death. It is low tech and involves the whole family.
This targets the two leading risk factors for neonatal death. It is low tech and involves the whole family.
Why isn't this reaching babies who need it already?
3 well described barriers mean iKMC is underutilised.
Resource Gaps
Missing physical and human resources limit consistent high quality iKMC delivery.
Missing physical and human resources limit consistent high quality iKMC delivery.
Adoption Gaps
Competing priorities and cultural perceptions about iKMC mean buy in and institutionalisation are low.
Competing priorities and cultural perceptions about iKMC mean buy in and institutionalisation are low.
Scaling Gaps
Weak health systems with no routine KMC indicators limit reach.
Weak health systems with no routine KMC indicators limit reach.
We overcome these barriers to bring practice and policy in alignment through our model.
How do we solve this?
Partner with hospitals
Repurpose Space for KMC
Train KMC Nurses
Onboard Program Staff
Register Vulnerable Babies
Monitor babies & train mothers
Referral of sick babies
Follow Up with Mothers
Rigorous Monitoring & Evaluation
Breastfeeding Counselling
Engagement of local KMC Champions
Group KMC Counselling
Information on available community care
How do we follow the evidence?
From bedside to dashboard, our program generates real-time data to leverage the unique advantage of hospital KMC the ability to monitor the intervention in front of our eyes. We focus on the minimum viable product for quality KMC delivery.
Care Fidelity Tracking
Continuous monitoring of quality of KMC and supervision
Optimisation
Leverage real-time data to maximise program fidelity
Outcome Measurement
Evaluation against pre-intervention baseline data
Staff Performance
Data-driven performance management system.
Government Partnership
Develop model for government partnership.
Why Nigeria?
1
Impact Potential
In Nigeria 250,000 newborns die every year, the second-highest in the world. We observed KMC coverage below 5% in our scoping visit. The gap between supply and demand is vast.
2
Political Tractability
Nigeria's Every Newborn Action Plan targets 90% KMC coverage by 2030. We work with the government to accelerate progress towards this goal as the only partner implementing iKMC in large public hospitals in Kano.
3
Local Evidence
A 2021 WHO trial in Nigeria showed initiating KMC on the first day of life provides a 25% additional mortality benefit.
