Itanagar, Nov 17: The state launching of National Newborn Week (NNW) & Social Action Plan on Awareness to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) was held here in the state capital on Tuesday by Dr. Sumita Ghosh, Additional Commissioner, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India under the banner of Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav, in presence of  Mission Director NHM, C.R. Kampa,  Director (Family Welfare) cum State Programme Officer RMNCHA, NHM, Dr. Emi Rumi.
The State shall observe “National Newborn Week” from November 15-21with the theme, “Safety, Quality and Nurturing Care – Birth Right of Every Newborn”. The main objective of the event is to raise awareness about the importance of newborn care for child survival and development. 
This year’s theme for NNW has been chosen to ensure reaching every newborn with quality and developmentally supportive health care services rendering safety and dignity at all service delivery platforms – Health Facilities, Community Outreach Sessions, and Homes etc. It is expected to rebuild the linkage pathways between the Health Facilities and Community further empowering the Health Personnel and Community for quality childcare services stressing on Newborn Care Screening 
The expected outcome from proper implementation of NNW is the reduction in Infant Mortality and Morbidity in the years to come in the state.
 Childhood Pneumonia continues to be one of the main causes of child deaths in the country, contributing to 14% of Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR). The same disease has contributed to 6.25% of U5MR of Arunachal Pradesh in FY 2020-21. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, early identification and management of Pneumonia in children has assumed much greater significance for reducing child mortality and morbidity.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has launched the SAANS (Social Awareness and Action to Neutralize Pneumonia successfully) initiative to address the burden of Childhood Pneumonia. The SAANS Initiative encompasses a three-tiered strategy, i.e., revised treatment protocol, skilled based capacity building of service providers and communication campaign to accelerate reduction in deaths due to childhood pneumonia. In line with this, the State has conducted SAANS Training of Trainers, Online Orientation to all the District Officers and Block Medical Officers in 2020-21, in the backdrop of COVID-19. 
The chief guest of the programme, Dr. Sumita Ghosh  said, “ Whatever we plan or direct is not fruitful unless we meet with people who actually are involved in the implementation of any scheme or program,” she said. She also laid emphasis on convergence with other line departments for the successful implementation of the programmes. 
Earlier Mission Director NHM, C.R. Kampa, APCS also spoke on the occasion. And Dr. Tana Natung, MD MIPHA, Nodal Officer Child Health gave a presentation on the overview of Newborn Services and SAANS implementation status of the state.
The outcome expected to see after proper implementation of SAANS is further reduction in Pneumonia deaths among Under Five Children in the State.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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