By Burnett Munthali
The Ministry of Health has emphasized the urgent need to expand infrastructure in Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) departments across Malawi to combat the country’s rising infant mortality rate.
Speaking during the commemoration of World Prematurity Day in Mchinji on Thursday, Chief of Health Services Dr. Julien Chunda highlighted the challenges faced by health centers in accommodating newborns.
“Many of our health facilities lack sufficient infrastructure to cater to the needs of preterm babies,” said Dr. Chunda. He further pointed out that maternity wings are poorly designed, making it difficult to deliver quality care. “There is a need for proper redesigning and expansion of these facilities to ensure they meet the required standards,” he added.
Dr. Chunda’s remarks were echoed by NEST 360 country director Evelin Zimba, who stressed the importance of swift allocation of funds to ensure sustainable implementation of health projects. “Adequate funding is critical to equipping our health facilities with the resources needed to improve maternal and neonatal care,” Zimba said.
Themed “Over 13 Million Babies Born Prematurely Every Year: Access to Quality Care Everywhere,” this year’s World Prematurity Day called for urgent action to close the gaps in maternal and neonatal care in health facilities nationwide.
The Kangaroo Mother Care approach has been instrumental in improving outcomes for preterm and low-birth-weight babies, offering a simple, cost-effective way to enhance survival rates. However, without adequate infrastructure, its full potential cannot be realized.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to addressing these challenges, emphasizing that improved maternal and neonatal care remains a top priority in achieving Malawi’s health goals.
