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The neonatal period is a vital time for a child's survival, carrying the highest risk of mortality. The health of a newborn is shaped by many biological, social, economic, and cultural factors.
Recognising this importance, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has made newborn care a top priority. They are actively working on several important initiatives under the National Health Mission, both in healthcare facilities and communities, to reduce illness and save lives.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, is observing National Newborn Week from November 15th to 21st to emphasise the importance of newborn health as a top priority. It also reaffirms its commitment, guided at the highest levels.
Let us dive deeper into the significance of National Newborn Care Week and its role in ensuring infant safety and quality healthcare.
National Newborn Care Week: India Showed the Path to the World
Twenty-five years ago, India lit a torch to awaken and mobilise the world for the health, safety, and care of newborns. Under the profound leadership of the then Prime Minister of India, Late Sh Atal Behari Vajpayee and Union Health Minister Sh C.P. Thakur, the National Neonatology Forum of India was launched in 2000.
- The forum initiated the observance of “National Neonatal Week” from November 15 to 21 every year. The aim of celebrating the week was to raise awareness about the importance of newborn care for child survival and development. This was later termed as National Newborn Care Week.
- In 2014, India launched the India Newborn Action Plan (INAP), becoming the first country in the world to do so, aligning with the Global Every Newborn Action Plan to eliminate preventable newborn and stillbirth deaths.
- 2021 was a testing year, when the second and more severe wave of COVID-19 shook the world. On 15th November 2021, during National Newborn Care Week, an e-event was organised at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), overseen by Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, MoHFW, GoI, with senior officials from the Ministry.
What is the National Newborn Care Week 2025 theme?
The theme for this year's National Newborn Week is —
“Newborn Safety: Every touch, Every time, Every Baby.”
National Newborn Care Week 2025 theme emphasises the urgent importance of prioritising safety throughout all stages of newborn care, which is crucial in India’s health system. The neonatal period is the most fragile in a child’s life, with numerous deaths and health issues each year caused by preventable factors such as pathogenic infections, medication mistakes, and unsafe care practices.
This event has so far served as a crucial platform for strategic State and Central Government officials, as well as representatives from development partners focused on child health, to reaffirm their dedication to ending preventable newborn deaths across India.
Government Initiatives for National Newborn Care Week 2025
Towards achieving the goal of quality newborn care for all infants, the Indian Government has already begun several initiatives that are discussed below:
- The Honourable Minister of State, Smt. Anupriya Patel delivered a video message highlighting the significance of the life cycle approach. She emphasised the crucial role of maternal health in achieving the national child health objectives.
- In this regard, the Minister of State has briefed about various maternal and child health schemes implemented by the Government of India, which have been initiated under the profound guidance of our Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
- The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare live-streamed this event on its Youtube Channel and the Zoom platform.
- Furthermore, Secretary HFW Sh. Rajesh Bhushan has introduced the “National Newborn Week and SAANS Campaign IEC” posters to spread information and encourage behaviour change and demand for newborn health.
Brief Overview of National Newborn Care Awareness Week Activities
The Child Health Division of MoHFW has outlined activities to raise awareness and improve newborn safety across infrastructure, medical delivery, infection prevention, diagnostics, and medication use.
Below is the list of National Newborn Care Awareness Week Activities
National Level:
- Three newborn documents have been released:
- Revised FBNC Operational guideline 2025
- 2 Training modules: Oxygen Support System and Empowering Mothers, and
- Caregivers in providing Nurturing Care to Newborns admitted in SNCUs and MNCUs
State/UT level:
- State-level webinars and online workshops will be held for healthcare professionals on topics including newborn safety, patient engagement, medication safety, and infection prevention.
- Circulars to be issued in districts about guidance notes, patient safety goals, and monitoring indicators.
- Updated policies and guidelines will be shared and implemented on antibiotics, infection control, BMW, and family participatory care with health facilities.
- Accordingly, reports from district launches, assessments, audits, and webinar participation will be collected.
- Cross-sector partnerships will be encouraged for coordinated newborn safety initiatives, such as IAP, NNF, INC, FOGSI, NGOs, and medical Colleges.
These initiatives strengthen infection control in newborn care units at hospitals and community levels, creating safer environments and better health outcomes. Know in detail about the National Newborn Care Awareness Week Activities 2025 .
National Newborn Care Week: A Roaring Success for India
Consistent efforts by the Facility, NGOs, District, state, and union-level bodies have made significant milestones towards achieving nationwide neonatal care.
For example, at the community level, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) conduct home visits as part of the Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) program, where they monitor newborns and refer those exhibiting danger signs.
With the joint efforts and hard work of these ASHAs, India’s Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has dropped from 44 per 1,000 live births in 2000 (the inaugural year of National Newborn Care Week) to 19 per 1,000 in 2023, which is indeed a roaring success.
Ensuring Newborn Health and Safety: What Mothers Must Do
Mothers and primary caregivers are central to a newborn's well-being and safety, especially during the critical neonatal period. Their actions directly impact the baby's health outcomes, complementing the initiatives undertaken by healthcare systems.
As a mother, you must ensure your young one gets optimal nutrition and immunity.
- Exclusive Breastfeeding: Mothers should exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months. Breast milk provides ideal nutrition and contains antibodies that protect the newborn from common illnesses and infections, directly supporting the goals of the National Newborn Care Week.
- Colostrum Intake: “It’s dirty, old, or harmful…” It’s time to break away that dirty old myth. Ensure your newborn gets the crucial dose of colostrum (your first milk) immediately after birth. It is actually rich in vital nutrients and antibodies that act as the baby's first immunisation. Protect your baby from malnutrition.
Additionally, you must never skip the immunisation cycles and regular health checkups to monitor your and your baby’s growth and well-being.
Apart from the above, you must take an extra step to ensure that your role of motherhood goes smooth and seamless without financial hurdles. An affordable maternity health insurance plan can help you a lot in achieving this goal.
Beat the Blues of Medical Costs With Maternity Insurance
With medical inflation rising into double digits every year, planning a family within budget seems like a dream. However, this is not the case if you have an innovative and affordable maternity health coverage, such as the JOY maternity insurance plan. This maternity health insurance plan helps expectant couples cover pregnancy costs and newborn care for up to 90 days after birth. It also includes daycare expenses for both mother and baby, allowing you to enjoy motherhood without financial worries. With no monetary stress, you can now focus on your and your baby’s health and enjoy a joyful motherhood.
Disclaimer: Verifying the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents is essential. Additionally, please consult a professional medical expert to verify the details of your health concerns.
