– Every year, nearly 4.5 lakh deliveries take place in government institutions across Tamil Nadu, and about 42% of these babies weigh less than 2.5 kg at birth.
– Recognising the challenges these infants face after leaving hospitals, the State Health Department has launched the “Pachchillam Kuzhandhai Paadhukaappu Pettagam” (Baby-Care Kit) to ensure they continue receiving critical nutritional and medical support during their first year.
– Tamil Nadu has unveiled a major push to protect one of its most vulnerable groups — low birth-weight (LBW) babies, discharged from Specialised Newborn Care Units (SNCUs).
– These babies are at greater risk of infections, poor weight gain, micronutrient deficiencies and developmental delays.
– Low birth-weight babies require sustained nutritional supplementation for proper growth.
– Accordingly, each kit contains iron drops (15 ml, 24 bottles per year), multivitamin drops (12 bottles per year), vitamin D3 drops (24 bottles per year), an infant supplementary medical card, a mother’s booklet on 12 signs of child development, and a storage basket.
– The aim is to reduce infant mortality and improve nutritional outcomes through systematic supplementation up to 12 months of age.
– The kits will be procured centrally through Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation and supplied to SNCUs across the State. After discharge, medicines will be replenished during monthly follow-up visits at Well Baby Clinics.
– Community linkage will be strengthened through the Home-Based Care for Young Child (HBYC ) programme and Pregnant and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) portals, with Anganwadi workers playing a key role in mobilising families.
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