.@EFCNIwecare We're MOMENTUM, a 5-year #GlobalHealth project funded by @USAID that envisions a 🌍 where all mothers, children, families, & communities have equitable access to comprehensive and high-quality health care. #WPD21Chat https://t.co/WOT76N8Tna
— USAID MOMENTUM (@USAID_MOMENTUM) November 16, 2021
Recap: World Prematurity Day 2021 Twitter Chat
Published on November 24, 2021
Karen Kasmauski/MCSP
Each year, the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI) hosts a Twitter Chat on November 16, the day before World Prematurity Day (November 17). Participants and organizations around the world have an opportunity to speak up for better care for small and sick newborns, especially those born prematurely.
This year’s theme for World Prematurity Day was “Zero Separation: Act now! Keep parents and babies born too soon together.” As a sponsor of World Prematurity Day and the Twitter Chat, MOMENTUM convened three experts from our suite of awards to discuss the importance of keeping parents and small and sick newborns together. Our experts were:
- Tamar Chitashvili, Maternal and Newborn Health Lead, MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience
- Neena Khadka, Newborn Health Focal Point, MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership
- Gaurav Sharma, Senior Technical Advisor for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, MOMENTUM Private Healthcare Delivery
Tamar, Neena, and Gaurav all contributed to MOMENTUM’s chat responses, creating a lively discussion around this year’s theme. Check out their responses below!
.@EFCNIwecare We welcome 3 of MOMENTUM's #NewbornHealth experts: @NeenaKhadka from our Country & Global Leadership project, @TamarChitashvil from our Integrated Health Resilience project, and @GauravSharmaktm from our Private Healthcare Delivery project. #WPD21Chat https://t.co/QpBGkaqAoo
— USAID MOMENTUM (@USAID_MOMENTUM) November 16, 2021
A1 1/2 @GauravSharmaktm: #Preemies are esp. vulnerable & many need special care simply to survive and stay alive. #PretermBirth is now the leading cause of death for children <5 & those who survive are at risk of experiencing long-term health challenges & disabilities.#WPD21Chat https://t.co/iVjnFdyeUL pic.twitter.com/a5DtXHHmvk
— USAID MOMENTUM (@USAID_MOMENTUM) November 16, 2021
A2 @NeenaKhadka: COVID-19 has significantly impacted care for #preemies. Health facilities have imposed strict separation measures, often prolonging separation b/w parents & babies and negatively impacting parents’ mental health & newborns' overall health/wellbeing. #WPD21Chat https://t.co/Dcw3V8wXnU
— USAID MOMENTUM (@USAID_MOMENTUM) November 16, 2021
A3 1/3 @TamarChitashvil: The bond between a mom and her newborn impacts their health and helps the newborn transition to the outside world. Babies who receive skin-to-skin contact breastfeed better and have a better chance at healthy development. #WPD21Chat https://t.co/V0QqGo8O4X pic.twitter.com/G7qfYkqMha
— USAID MOMENTUM (@USAID_MOMENTUM) November 16, 2021
A4 @GauravSharmaktm: Parents can help ensure that health services promote family-centered care and #ZeroSeparation of #MomAndBaby. Parents are powerful advocates and can help bring attention to preterm babies and complications of prematurity. #BornTooSoon. #WPD21Chat https://t.co/GQtt8aL1a6
— USAID MOMENTUM (@USAID_MOMENTUM) November 16, 2021
A5 @NeenaKhadka Support for health workers could include:
✔️Creating paths for career advancement
✔️Increasing pay
✔️Providing emotional support
Health workers who feel cared for and supported are better able to provide the same care for their patients. #WPD21Chat https://t.co/n5cP9B7nNB— USAID MOMENTUM (@USAID_MOMENTUM) November 16, 2021
A6 @TamarChitashvil: MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience is exploring ways to bring care to small & sick newborns in fragile settings where health access is disrupted, using interventions like #SelfCare4UHC, Kangaroo Mother Care, #ZeroSeparation, and breastfeeding. #WPD21Chat https://t.co/nFH3XB1kvc
— USAID MOMENTUM (@USAID_MOMENTUM) November 16, 2021