Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. F. M. Siddiqui said, the kangaroo mother care (KMC) model is showing hope in reducing the mortality rate, preventing diseases and saving lives of all newborns, including premature and low birth weight newborns. Social media, including the media, can make a great contribution to popularizing the KMC model. The great contribution and importance of KMC in saving the lives of newborns has been scientifically proven and it is important to discuss it in a policy forum and implement it at the national level. Yesterday, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at BMU’s Shaheed Dr. Milton Hall. The Vice Chancellor said these things while speaking as the chief guest at a scientific seminar organized on the occasion of International Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Awareness Day 2026. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Development) Professor Dr. was present as a special guest at the seminar. Md. Mujibur Rahman Howlader, Treasurer Professor Dr. Nahrin Akhtar, Dean of the Faculty of Children Professor Dr. Md. Atiar Rahman. BMU Neonatology Department Chairman Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Manan presided over the meeting. Assistant Professor Dr. Rumpa Moni Chowdhury presented the scientific paper. Teachers, doctors, residents, neonatologists and pediatricians from various institutions including BMU Neonatology Department were present.

Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Manan, Chairman of the Department of Neonatal Care, said, “Kagaroo mother care is the ideal and followable method to save the lives of premature and low-birth-weight newborns. All concerned must work together in unity to implement KEMC.” Dr. Rumpa Moni Chowdhury, Assistant Professor, Department of Neonatology, BMU, said in her paper that International Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Awareness Day is celebrated on May 15. It is a global day that has been celebrated together by various health institutions, experts, communities and families since 2011. The theme for 2026 was ‘Stillness is Strength’. Dr. Rumpa Moni Chowdhury said, KMC reduces neonatal mortality and the risk of death up to six months of age. It helps prevent hypothermia, hypoglycemia and serious infections or sepsis. It also helps in early initiation of breastfeeding, increasing the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and promoting good weight gain in babies. Kangaroo Mother Care KMC (KMC) is a “protocol-based care method” for (premature) and low birth weight newborns, which is based on skin-to-skin contact between the newborn and the mother or caregiver. Training neonatal nurses in conjunction with maternal care and taking appropriate measures to immediately introduce KMC in health care facilities can play a significant role in reducing neonatal mortality. The seminar was informed that the World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends that CME should be started as soon as possible after birth and not wait until the baby is stable. The seminar also informed that the Mother Newborn Care Unit is another service model that does not allow any separation between the mother and the baby from birth to discharge from the hospital. Through this, along with intensive or specialized care for the newborn, immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) can be ensured. Editing by Dr. Saiful Azam Ranju.