A scalable health system model to achieve high coverage and quality of Kangaroo mother care in Uttar Pradesh, India

Aim To design a health system model for scaling-up Kangaroo mother care (KMC) and assess its impact on the population-level coverage and quality of KMC in Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods We co-developed the model with mothers and health system stakeholders using human-centred design over multiple cycles of implementation, learning and data-driven refinement. Infants with birthweight High delivery load facilities were equipped with a KMC Lounge to ensure comfort, respectful care of mothers and high-quality KMC over prolonged periods. Systems to ensure weighing at birth, referral of infants with birthweight <2000 g to KMC facilities, initiation of KMC for all stable low birthweight infants, improving quality of care within KMC facilities and supporting families to continue KMC at home post discharge, were integrated into existing services. KMC was initiated in 93.3% of eligible infants with effective coverage of 52.7% and 64.8% at discharge and 7 days post discharge, respectively. Conclusion The model addressed critical barriers to KMC implementation and adoption, contributing to its scale-up across the state.