Global Perspectives of Developmental Care – Belize

Abstract

Of all the advances in neonatology in the past several decades, developmentally supportive, family-centered care is arguably one of the most powerful tools for improving outcomes in countries with limited economic resources. Developmental care does not require expensive technology, and rather it is based on sensitive observation, responsive hands-on care, and strengthening relationships among infants, families and caregivers. While some aspects of the highest quality, Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) based developmental care can be relatively costly (for example, single-room NICU design including family accommodations), resourceful and adaptive planners in developing countries are no strangers to finding creative solutions to such challenges. We have only to look at the history of kangaroo care to see strong proof of this concept, as countries as diverse as Colombia, South Africa and Argentina have led the way in developing and implementing this critical strategy.