Health Reporter
A healthcare breakthrough has been witnessed at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity, a division within the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital, where the implementation of Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (IKMC) has significantly reduced neonatal mortality by 50% among premature infants in Zimbabwe.
Speaking to this publication Specialist Neonatologist, Dr Alexander Stevenson revealed that these results were obtained after a month long trial, where a new method was rigorously tested.
"As soon as a baby is born, even before the umbilical cord is cut, the infant is placed on the mother's chest. This early skin-to-skin contact, along with specialised respiratory support, not only fosters bonding but significantly boosts survival rates," said Dr Stevenson.
He further shared the story of Christian, a premature infant born at 28 weeks who thrived under this care.
"Christian weighed only 1080 grammes at birth and has been receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on his mother’s chest. Now 14 days old, he is doing remarkably well," he noted.
Current data from the hospital indicates a dramatic decrease in neonatal mortality rates, from approximately 50% to around 20–25% in the specific weight band of babies like Christian.
"It's still in the early days, but the results are promising," Dr Stevenson added.
The success of IKMC has not only been medically significant but also emotionally beneficial, as noted by Precious Chinembiri, a mother at the maternity hospital.
"I bore my child weighing 1000 grammes, and he has been slowly gaining weight. Now he weighs 1040 grams. Using the Kangaroo technique allows me to be close to my child, making it easier to feed him and respond to his needs," she expressed.
Meanwhile, the technique has garnered interest from other hospitals across Zimbabwe and Africa, eager to replicate a model that is not only cost-effective but also yields significant long-term psychological benefits for both mothers and babies.
With challenges in acquiring new modern incubators or repairing existing ones due to sanctions, IKMC presents a practical and sustainable solution, improving survival rates and care quality for newborns in resource-limited settings.
