The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecological (OBG) Nursing and the Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal observed the ‘Newborn Week’ from 15 to 19 November 2021 based on the theme “'Safety, quality and nurturing care - birth right of every newborn." The aim of celebrating ‘Newborn Week’ is to create awareness and sensitize the general public, students and health care professionals regarding quality and essential newborn care. Based on the theme, number of activities like an awareness program on essential newborn care, poster competition on the theme for the faculty and students, radio program etc. were conducted.

The activities planned and conducted were as follows:

Activity 1: Awareness programme on the care of a newborn baby:

An interactive session on “care of the newborn baby” was conducted among the expectant mothers and caregivers on 15th November 2021 at Rotary building Shankarpura. The session was conducted by Dr Maria Pais Assistant Professor OBG (N) department. A total of 40 participants attended the programme. The session was well appreciated by the participants. An awareness program for postnatal mothers and caregivers was conducted in the postnatal ward of Kasturba hospital Manipal on 19/11/2021 by Mrs Shobha and Mr Siva. A total of 15 mothers participated in the program.

The awareness sessions were also conducted as part of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” programme. 

Activity 2: Poster competition on the theme “'Innovate, Illuminate and Inculcate quality care for every newborn"

A poster competition was conducted for the faculty and students on the theme “Innovate, illuminate & inculcate quality care for every newborn”. A total of nine posters were received from staff and students. The first prize was won by Mrs Sunitha Solomon Nagelli, PhD scholar and the second prize was bagged by Mrs Pratibha Kamath, Assistant Professor, OBG Nursing Department, MCON, MAHE, Manipal.

Activity 3: Radio talk on newborn care

Activity 3: A radio telecast on “Newborn care” was done on 17/11/2021. Mrs Pratibha Kamath, Assistant Professor, Department of OBG (N), Dr Yashoda Sathish, Assistant Professor, Department of Child Health Nursing and Ms Henita Menezes, PhD Scholar participated in the recording. The program was broadcast on 22nd November 2021 at 5 pm through 90.4 FM.

Activity 4: TV Program on Safety, Quality newborn care

A television recording on “safety, quality newborn care” was done on the ‘Daijiworld channel’ with a view to sensitize the mothers and caregivers about the significance of newborn care for the overall development. Dr Anand Kumar Patil, Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and Mrs Shobha, Lecturer, Department of OBG (N), MCON deliberated on the topic of safety, quality care of the newborn that can be provided by the family members. The recording will be telecasted at the earliest.