Dhusamareeb, Somalia — In a significant step toward improving neonatal survival rates in Galmudug, the regional Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has successfully trained 43 frontline health workers on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in Dhusamareeb.
The intensive training focused on equipping health workers with essential knowledge and practical skills in KMC—a proven, low-cost, and highly effective method for caring for premature and low birth weight infants. KMC involves skin-to-skin contact between the mother and baby, exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge from healthcare facilities with continued follow-up.
This initiative aims to address the high neonatal mortality rates in Somalia, where access to advanced neonatal care remains limited, particularly in remote and conflict-affected regions. Premature birth complications are one of the leading causes of newborn deaths in the country.
Officials from Galmudug’s Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of investing in community-level capacity building, noting that these 43 health workers will now serve as key advocates and providers of KMC across health facilities in the region.
UNICEF representatives praised the collaborative effort, reiterating their commitment to supporting maternal and child health programs that deliver sustainable impact.
With this training, Galmudug joins other Somali federal member states in advancing neonatal care solutions that are both culturally appropriate and cost-effective, paving the way for stronger health outcomes for Somalia’s most vulnerable newborns.