T.N. introduces baby care kits for low birth weight infants

Tamil Nadu has introduced a “Baby Care Kit” scheme to strengthen care for low birth weight (LBW) babies discharged from all 92 Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) in the State, a move aimed at further reducing the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). The monthly kits comprise iron, multivitamin and Vitamin D3 drops.

According to an official release, every year, about 1.2 lakh sick newborns are treated and discharged from the 92 SNCUs in the State.

Nearly 4.5 lakh deliveries take place in government institutions every year. About 52,000 babies are LBW babies (less than 2.5 kg), a highly vulnerable group requiring sustained follow-up and care.

These babies, especially those born pre-term or sick at birth, face higher risks of mortality, infections, poor weight gain, micronutrient deficiencies, and developmental delays.

While initial follow-up visits after discharge from these units are encouraging, attendance declines in later months due to parental unawareness, access barriers, and gaps in early identification of illness, the release said.

It is to address this critical gap that the State has introduced the kits. It includes iron drops, multivitamin drops, vitamin D3 drops, infant supplementary medical card, and a booklet on 12 signs of child development.

Launching the initiative at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology on Friday, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said approximately 20% of babies born in government hospitals weighed less than two kg. He highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring of nutrition and immunity levels of the babies.

The initiative, which was announced in the Budget, is being implemented at a cost of ₹8.07 crore.

The State’s IMR dropped from 8.2 per 1,000 live births during 2023-2024 to 7.7 during 2024-2025, he added. The aim of this scheme is to reduce infant mortality and morbidity, and improve nutritional outcomes among LBW babies through systematic micronutrient supplementation like iron, multivitamin, and vitamin D3 drops free of cost up to 12 months.

Mobile app launched

The Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) mobile Application (Thaimai) was launched on the occasion.

Using a login, pregnant women and mothers can access details on last antenatal visit, upcoming visit date, high risk status, child details, and infant immunisation. They can be immediately connected to the 108 ambulance service and have direct access to “104 health helpline” for counselling and medical guidance.

The app sends SMS reminders for upcoming check-ups, alerts for immunisation schedules, and warning messages when high-risk symptoms are identified.

Egmore MLA I. Paranthamen, Health Secretary P. Senthilkumar, and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu, Arun Thamburaj participated.