Dr. Ayeesha Begam represented KHPT at the Annual KARNEOCON & South NEOCON 2026 held from 29–30 August 2026 at The Chancery Pavilion, Bengaluru. She presented a poster titled “Evidence + Practice = Excellence: Implementation of Kangaroo Mother Care Continuum at a Medical College in Thane.”

The poster showcased KHPT’s work on strengthening the implementation of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for low-birth-weight babies through a multipronged approach. The initiative focused on identifying gaps through a situational needs assessment, strengthening the capacities of facility and community health staff, counselling mothers and families, promoting peer learning, and engaging fathers, mothers-in-law and community groups in supporting KMC practices.

The intervention demonstrated encouraging results, including 85% KMC initiation at the facility, 91% community follow-up, 40% male participation, and 45% foster KMC provider involvement. The presentation highlighted that sustaining KMC beyond facility discharge requires continued counselling, family and community participation, prioritised follow-up and stronger facility–community linkages.

Through this presentation, Dr. Ayeesha highlighted the importance of translating KMC guidelines into practice through a multipronged, family- and community-centred approach, contributing to discussions on improving continuity and sustainability of KMC for vulnerable newborns.