The Government of Bihar has implemented the Family Participatory Care (FPC) program across all Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) in the District Hospitals. This initiative enables caregivers to actively participate in the care of sick newborns during hospitalization. By doing so, caregivers gain essential knowledge and skills required for newborn care, empowering them to provide adequate support and attention to their infants after discharge.
At the SNCUs, trained healthcare staff play a pivotal role in guiding caregivers through FPC sessions. These sessions enhance caregivers' competency and confidence, encouraging them to deliver essential newborn care at home. For the effective execution of the FPC program, it is crucial to build the capacity of service providers, such as Medical Officers and Staff Nurses, as they directly support caregivers and impart necessary skills.
To achieve this, a two-day training program has been designed to orient and develop the skills of service providers. These trained individuals, in turn, will assist SNCU staff in conducting FPC sessions at their respective units. For the year 2024-25, one batch of Training of Trainers (ToT) was approved for Bihar. With the support of the State Health Society Bihar (SHSB) and the Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI), a two-day training session for SNCU Staff Nurses from district hospitals was organized at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna, on October 17 and 18, 2024.

The training employed a comprehensive approach that included PowerPoint presentations, video demonstrations, hands-on skill practice at various skill stations, group work, and role-playing of real-time FPC activities. NIPI, as the lead partner for the program, played a significant role in the planning and execution of the training. This included forming the training batch by coordinating with districts to obtain participants' names and ensuring full participation. Additionally, NIPI facilitated the availability of the training venue, set up skill stations, and ensured the timely provision of all necessary logistics. Technical facilitation and orientation on the operational aspects of FPC were also provided.
A total of 24 Staff Nurses were trained in this batch, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to effectively support caregivers in implementing Family Participatory Care. This initiative marks a significant step towards improving newborn care practices and empowering caregivers in Bihar.