Embrace Infant Warmers Impact Babies Lives India

Dear Embrace supporters,

Thank you for your continued support of our India programs. Since the beginning of 2013 we have expanded to 7 new clinics in northern India. To ensure the continued success of our programs, we have hired 2 new Site Managers and 2 Site Educators who conduct ongoing training, oversee monitoring and evaluation efforts, and provide education on neonatal care to staff and families. 

The Raebareli project in Uttar Pradesh has seen the most growth in 2013. New Site Manager, Yasin, is doing a fantastic job overseeing the use of Embrace at our numerous partner clinics in the area and developing new partner relations for further expansion. Yasin is originally from the IT field with a degree in Engineering. Before joining Embrace, he worked with Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojna (RGMVP) on a health project for UNICEF.

Joining Yasin at the Raebareli project are 2 new Site Educators: Sundari and Firoz. Pervious to her work with Embrace, Sundari worked with RGMVP as a block organization manager to help coordinate local women's self-help groups. Firoz also has 2 years of experience working with self-help groups for RGMVP and has 1 year experience working on a Community Based Health Insurance project under UNICEF.

Priyanka G. has joined Embrace as the Karuna Trust Site Manager and will focus on expanding Embrace's presence in additional clinics throughout the region. She is based at a clinic in Santhemaranahalli, Karnataka, India. Priyanka G has a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Krishnateja Pharmacy College, and a Postgraduate diploma in Clinical Research from Syncorps Institute, Bangalore.

Embrace is so grateful to have these new Site Managers and Site Educators on the team. Without their hard work, we would not be able to have such a significant impact on the ground; and without your support, we would not be able to bring these projects to life. Thank you again for helping us make progress towards our ultimate goal: ensuring that every woman and child has an equal chance for a healthy life.

With gratitude,

The Embrace Team

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Raebareli District in Uttar Pradesh, India has an estimated infant mortality rate of 61 deaths per 1,000 live births. This is much higher than the national average of 47 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the state of Uttar Pradesh as a whole accounts for close to a quarter of all infant deaths in the country. Reports show that around 64% of these deaths are in neonates up to four weeks of age, indicating a need for increased neonatal health intervention immediately following childbirth.

Our Director of Programs, Jenafir House, along with our India Program Director, Pompa Debroy, and India Program Coordinator, Priyanka Choubey, visited several clinical facilities throughout the Raebareli District in early March. After an initial needs assessment, the Embrace team found a clear need for improved services around hypothermia management in the region due to a lack of human resources, adequate equipment, and current knowledge. Embrace is currently working with the Raebareli District Government to introduce our innovative infant warmer and complementary education program into five Primary Health Centers in the area. This program will allow us to reach at least 1250 infants and families in need within the first year, and the potential to impact even more lives as we work to establish a sustainable program.

Thank you for helping us Spread the Warmth to a new region in India!

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