As part of the project “Strengthening Primary Health Care through Participatory Action Research in Tribal Districts of Northern Telangana,” funded by the Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation (supported by Tata Trusts), Affordable Quality Health (AQH) conducted facility assessments of Special Newborn care Units in Bhadradri Kothagudem district in March 2025. On basis of the findings, strengthening of SNCUs, was recommended with the need for targeted capacity building. Alongside this, the NICE Foundation also conducted an assessment to identify specific training gaps among staff in these facilities.
To address the identified gaps, Affordable Quality Health (AQH) in partnership with NICE Foundation, Hyderabad designed and implemented targeted capacity-building interventions through the PRATIBIMB (Program for Resuscitation and Active Training for Better Infant and Mother Outcomes After Birth) training programme. As part of this initiative, two separate three-day, in-person training programmes were conducted for SNCU staff; one was held at Area Hospital, Bhadrachalam from 3rdto 5thDecember 2025 and the other at Maternal and Child Health facility, Ramavaram from 18thto 20thDecember 2025, respectively.
The training programme was inaugurated at MCH Ramavaram by Dr. Venkateshwarlu, HoD, Paediatrics, GMC Kothagudem. At AH Bhadrachalam, the programme was inaugurated by Dr. Ramakrishna, Medical Superintendent, and Dr. Raj Shekar Reddy, Resident Medical Officer, AH Bhadrachalam.
The trainings were facilitated by a multidisciplinary faculty from the NICE Foundation, comprising neonatologists and experienced nurses. The training followed a blended approach, beginning with classroom-based theoretical sessions, followed by demonstration-based learning and hands-on activities. Each participant was required to actively undertake practical exercises, including demonstrations of theoretical concepts, to reinforce skills and ensure effective translation of knowledge into practice.
Key areas covered during the training included Helping Babies Breathe (HBB), Helping Babies Survive (HBS), and the Prevention and management of Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH). In addition, participants engaged in hands-on clinical skill-building sessions and OSCE-based assessments to reinforce learning and assess practical competencies.
The participants included SNCU staff nurses, labour room nurses, operation theatre nurses, and midwives from each facility, with a total of 22 participants from AH Bhadrachalam and 21 participants from MCH Ramavaram were trained as part of the programme.
At the end of the training programme, participants were required to provide a live demonstration of the practical skills acquired during the three-day programme. Certificates of completion were awarded following the successful demonstration of these competencies. This was followed by a feedback session, during which participants expressed a positive response to the training. They appreciated the content and delivery, emphasizing that the programme would be highly beneficial in managing critical cases at their respective facilities.