Dr Nirvana Manning

,

Postpartum Moms at UAMS Begin Receiving Mother & Infant Supply Kits

,

By Linda Satter

LITTLE ROCK — Nurses at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) began distributing Mother & Infant Supply Kits this month to mothers of newborns at the UAMS Health Medical Center in Little Rock.

The kits contain items to support infant health and safety, development and safe sleep practices. Kits include baby shampoo, baby wipes, diapers, diaper rash ointment, nursing pads, socks, sleep sacks and thermometers, among other things.

After a pilot program at UAMS to determine most effective system for distribution, the Arkansas Center for Women & Infants’ Health at UAMS will gradually begin distributing the supply kits to the state’s other 33 birthing centers, keeping in mind each community’s needs. The kits are expected to be available at all Arkansas birthing hospitals by the end of the summer.

Postpartum Moms at UAMS Begin Receiving Mother & Infant Supply Kits

, ,

UAMS Receives $5 Million to Reduce Infant Mortality Rates

, ,

By Linda Satter

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received a $5 million Congressional appropriation to coordinate efforts across the state to reduce infant mortality.

Nirvana Manning, M.D., professor and chair of the UAMS Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said the funding, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will allow UAMS to supply resources to every birthing hospital in the state and reach out directly to postpartum mothers to steer them to the appropriate help they may need.

The recently released funds were part of a legislative package championed by U.S. Sen John Boozman and approved in late March.

“Healthy, thriving families are key to a successful Arkansas, and UAMS consistently dedicates significant resources to help achieve that objective across our state. I was proud to secure a federal investment to enhance its infant and maternal care, so moms and babies receive proactive outreach and adequate medical support. Dr. Manning and her colleagues are terrific partners whose commitment to solving this challenge will continue demonstrating the merit in allocating these funds,” Boozman said.

UAMS Receives $5 Million to Reduce Infant Mortality Rates

,

Efforts underway to reduce Arkansas’ high maternal mortality rate

,

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas leads the nation in maternal mortality rates although nearly every state in the union struggles with the issue. However, a review committee that is raising visibility and eyeing policy changes believes the trend can be reversed.

According to the most recent statistics assembled from 2018-2020, Arkansas averages 40 maternal deaths per 100,000 births, ranking the state 50th among 50 states.

Dr. Nirvana Manning, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at UAMS, said southern states are particularly vulnerable in this area for a variety of reasons with access being crucial.

https://www.uaex.uada.edu/media-resources/news/2023/june/06-06-2023-ark-new-faculty-cengiz-koparan.aspx