Kangaroo Mother Care Program Supports Premature Babies in Gaza

At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, a kangaroo mother care pilot program is assisting vulnerable newborns amid challenges in the healthcare system. Rania Fadel, a 24-year-old mother, gave birth to twin boys, Ilyas and Yahya, on September 25. While Yahya was healthy, Ilyas, who was born prematurely weighing 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds), required specialized care in the neonatal intensive care unit for nearly two weeks due to medical issues affecting his blood and lungs. After recovering from a Caesarean section, Rania was able to hold Ilyas against her bare chest, introducing her to kangaroo mother care, which involves prolonged skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding. This method has been shown to have significant health benefits for premature and low-birthweight babies. Rania expressed happiness at being able to hold her son, stating, "The baby feels that his mother is there. He feels safe. Honestly, it makes me very happy." According to the World Health Organization (WHO), kangaroo mother care can reduce neonatal mortality by 32 percent and mortality by six months of age by 25 percent compared to conventional care. Khawla al-Madhoun, director of nursing at the hospital's maternity and neonatal departments, noted that this integrated approach to newborn care supports growth and strengthens the bond between mother and baby. The program, supported by WHO, UNICEF, and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), aims to gradually introduce kangaroo care in the hospital's external neonatal care unit and maternity wards. The team is working towards achieving longer periods of skin-to-skin contact, with a target of at least two hours per day, depending on family circumstances. However, al-Madhoun emphasized that kangaroo care cannot replace incubators or other treatments for babies requiring intensive care. Gaza's healthcare system is facing significant challenges, including damaged facilities and shortages of equipment. Before the conflict escalated in October 2023, Gaza had eight neonatal intensive care units with a total of 178 incubators. By November 2024, three units had been destroyed, reducing the number of available incubators by 70 percent. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated living conditions for pregnant women, leading to an increase in premature births and low birth weight infants needing specialized care. Linda Abu Nasira, another mother at the hospital, shared her experience with her three-day-old daughter, who initially developed a fever. Under medical guidance, she learned to hold her baby against her chest for brief periods. Linda described the challenging conditions she faces while raising her two older children in a tent in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, while caring for her newborn. She expressed hope for her daughter's recovery and discharge from the hospital as soon as possible.