
Introduction
This is our neonatal health-focused program aimed at tackling one of the leading causes of infant mortality in India, complications from low birth weight and preterm births. Implemented under the Ansh initiative, the program promotes Kangaroo Care (KC), a proven, low-cost intervention that can reduce neonatal deaths by over 30% compared to conventional incubator care.
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Currently active in Rajasthan, the program works in close collaboration with government health systems to embed Kangaroo Mother Care into both postnatal wards and neonatal intensive care units. At its core, Ansh champions the idea that a mother’s warmth and touch can serve as the most effective incubator, empowering caregivers and improving outcomes in resource-limited settings.

Program Components
Kangaroo Care model is built around three core practices that together offer a powerful, low-tech solution for neonatal care. First, skin-to-skin contact between the caregiver and the newborn helps stabilize the infant’s body temperature and significantly reduces the risk of hypothermia. Second, exclusive breastfeeding is promoted to strengthen the infant’s immune system and support healthy weight gain. Third, the program emphasizes close monitoring of both mothers and newborns to quickly identify any danger signs and ensure timely medical intervention.
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There are two distinct Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) programs within public hospital settings. The Postnatal Care (PNC) Ward Program focuses on stable low birth weight and preterm infants, helping caregivers continue KMC after delivery. The Early KMC Program is implemented within Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), where even unstable infants in critical condition are gradually introduced to KMC under medical supervision.
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To maintain quality and consistency across facilities, Ansh deploys dedicated Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinators in each hospital. These coordinators are responsible for collecting and managing data, observing KMC practices, conducting interviews with caregivers, and working closely with clinical teams. Their efforts ensure that KMC is implemented effectively, with fidelity to the model, and that learnings are continuously fed back into the system. By anchoring the program within Rajasthan’s public healthcare infrastructure and partnering with state and district health officials, Ansh ensures both scalability and sustainability.
Impact (2024–25)
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Projected to reach over 23,000 infants
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Estimated 789 neonatal deaths averted
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Achieved at an estimated cost of $2,500 per death averted
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Embedded in Rajasthan’s public health infrastructure through state and district partnerships