Promoting the health of pregnant women with courses for primary care physicians

MEXICO CITY (apro).- To promote comprehensive care for babies born in Mexico, from pregnancy through the first two years of life, the federal government's Ministry of Health (SSA) will offer six courses for primary care physicians. These courses will be available on the digital platforms of health institutions in urban and rural communities.

The courses will be conducted in collaboration with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and are part of the National Medical Care Protocol (PRONAM) for the First 1000 Days of Life (1000D).

According to Patricia Clark, secretary of the General Health Council (CSG), PRONAMs seek to "facilitate the work of medical personnel through standardized tools with a preventive focus."

The official explained that PRONAM is a "tool based on national and international scientific evidence, designed to improve primary care, facilitate the work of general practitioners, and standardize procedures for addressing diseases that represent 80% of the country's disease burden."

In the context of World Breastfeeding Week, she added that Protocol 1000D covers the period from the beginning of pregnancy to the baby's second birthday—270 days of gestation and 730 days postpartum—and also establishes guidelines on nutrition, physical activity, maternal mental health, vaccination, screenings, and infant neurological development, with the goal of establishing healthy habits that impact the rest of life.

The protocol includes promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, which is essential due to the immunological and nutritional benefits it offers. The official warned that this practice has declined among Mexican mothers.

PRONAM also uses the Infant Development Scale (EDI), validated for the Mexican population by the Federico Gómez Children's Hospital of Mexico. This tool is used to assess optimal child development in multiple areas:

• The neurological maturation of the baby
• Recommendations on maternal supplementation (folic acid, iron, and multivitamins)
• Vaccination schedules for both mother and baby

Clark emphasized that one of the main challenges is the widespread dissemination and implementation of these protocols throughout the country, including rural and urban communities, through training and strategic alliances.

For this reason, he announced the implementation of the six aforementioned courses, in coordination with UNAM.

He explained that each PRONAM will have "measurable indicators" through electronic medical records, allowing for monitoring of its implementation. He explained that this work is being carried out in coordination with the Carlos Slim Foundation and its 2,322 care centers, many of which are integrated into the IMSS-Bienestar system.

CSG Secretary Patricia Clark emphasized that the PRONAMs were developed by specialists from all health sector institutions and constitute an "inter-institutional effort that represents a new model of health care focused on prevention and the comprehensive well-being of the Mexican population."

The PRONAM First 1000 Days of Life can be consulted on the following internet site: http://PRONAM First 1000 Days of Life can be consulted on the following internet site: https://pronamsalud.csg.gob.mx/pronam-primeros-1000-dias.pdf

The protocol includes information on healthy pregnancy, safe childbirth and postpartum, newborn care, and care from 28 days to 24 months.