States » NorthPosted at: Nov 5 2026 1:07AM


Haryana reimagines newborn care: Mothers and babies to stay together as state embraces "Zero Separation"

By Kamlesh Kali
Panchkula, Nov 4 (UNI) In a powerful affirmation that the most effective medicine for a fragile newborn is often the warmth and presence of the mother, the Haryana government has unveiled a pioneering, women and child-centric initiative to revolutionise neonatal care across the state.
Dr Sumita Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Haryana, who is leading this statewide maternal-newborn care initiative, announced that the government is not only bolstering its life-saving medical infrastructure with 19 advanced neonatal ventilators but is also fundamentally reimagining the emotional and physical environment in which critically ill newborns heal.
Addressing the new policy direction on Wednesday, Dr Mishra emphasised that at the heart of this initiative lies a compassionate principle drawn from the World Health Organisation: "Zero Separation." Where clinically possible, mothers will no longer be forced to part from their newborns during hospitalisation. Instead, the state's Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) are being transformed into Integrated Mother-Newborn Care Units (MNCUs), sanctuaries where medical excellence and maternal love converge.
Saving Lives, One Breath at a Time
Dr Mishra highlighted that timely respiratory support is the difference between life and death for critically ill newborns. To this end, the state is investing approximately Rs 7 crore to install 19 additional neonatal ventilators. These will augment the existing fleet of 54 ventilators currently operational across Haryana's 29 SNCUs. According to Dr Mishra, this expansion will dramatically enhance the state's capacity to provide immediate, advanced respiratory assistance during emergencies, offering a fighting chance to the tiniest and most vulnerable patients.
Yet, as Dr Mishra explained, Haryana's vision extends far beyond machines and monitors.
Where Medicine Meets a Mother's Touch
According to the Additional Chief Secretary, the transition to MNCUs places women and children at the absolute centre of the care model. Under this integrated approach, mothers will be encouraged to stay alongside their babies throughout hospitalisation, actively participating in their care under the expert guidance of trained doctors and nurses. This marks a profound departure from traditional neonatal intensive care, where fragile babies are often isolated behind glass walls, leaving mothers grappling with helplessness and anxiety.
Dr Mishra noted that the initiative places special emphasis on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a remarkably simple yet profoundly effective practice where the newborn is placed in direct skin-to-skin contact with the mother or an appropriate caregiver's chest. As she outlined, this natural embrace acts as a biological incubator, stabilising the baby's body temperature, promoting critical weight gain, and significantly boosting breastfeeding success. For premature and low-birth-weight infants who require prolonged hospitalisation and constant monitoring, this continuous contact is nothing short of transformative, accelerating recovery while forging an unbreakable emotional bond.
Empowering Mothers, Healing Families
True to its family-centered ethos, the program is designed to empower mothers with knowledge and confidence. Dr Mishra stated that healthcare specialists will provide hands-on guidance to mothers on breastfeeding techniques, neonatal nutrition, hygiene practices, and the early recognition of illness warning signs. By involving mothers as active partners rather than passive bystanders, the initiative builds maternal self-assurance and ensures that the continuum of care extends seamlessly from hospital to home.
The benefits are deeply psychological as well as physical, Dr Mishra pointed out. The constant presence of the mother alleviates the silent trauma of separation, reducing stress and postpartum anxiety while creating a nurturing environment where both mother and child heal together. Where appropriate, other family members will also be integrated into the care routine under medical supervision, reinforcing the understanding that a newborn thrives not just on technology, but on the circle of family love. UNI KK NST
Tags: #Haryana reimagines newborn care: Mothers and babies to stay together as state embraces "Zero Separation"
More News

Panchkula school assault victim discharged from PGIMER, family says recovery incomplete

05 Nov 2026 | 1:17 AM

Panchkula, Nov 4 (UNI) A six-year-old girl seriously injured in an alleged assault by an eight-year-old student at a government school in Panchkula returned home on Wednesday, after a week of treatment at PGIMER, Chandigarh, though she continues to suffer from dizziness, abdominal pain and difficulty sitting, her family said.

see more..

Voters missing from SIR draft rolls can apply through Form 6 without fear of prosecution: Haryana CEO

05 Nov 2026 | 1:14 AM

Chandigarh, Nov 4 (UNI) Voters whose names are missing from draft electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can apply for inclusion through Form 6 even if they were registered earlier, and will not face legal action merely for submitting the form, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer A. Sreenivas said on Wednesday.

see more..

Congress to take 'Vote Bachao–Desh Bachao' campaign to villages, homes across Haryana

05 Nov 2026 | 1:09 AM

Panchkula, Nov 4 (UNI) The Congress will launch a statewide 'Vote Bachao–Desh Bachao' public outreach campaign from November 4 to 25, reaching villages and households to raise awareness about electoral transparency, protection of voting rights and democratic institutions.

see more..

Legal services authority launches second phase of 60-day mega drive in Kangra village

05 Nov 2026 | 1:08 AM

Dharamshala, Nov 4 (UNI) The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kangra, has launched the second phase of its mega drive in Bandian village of Baijnath tehsil to ensure effective implementation of various schemes of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) at the grassroots level.

see more..

Haryana reimagines newborn care: Mothers and babies to stay together as state embraces "Zero Separation"

05 Nov 2026 | 1:07 AM

By Kamlesh Kali
Panchkula, Nov 4 (UNI) In a powerful affirmation that the most effective medicine for a fragile newborn is often the warmth and presence of the mother, the Haryana government has unveiled a pioneering, women and child-centric initiative to revolutionise neonatal care across the state.

see more..