KMC Contest 2025
– Promoting Skin-to-Skin Care in Neonatology, 5th Edition
Between May 15 (World Kangaroo Mother Care Day) and June 14, 2025, ARNIS organized the 5th edition of the KMC Contest, an initiative dedicated to promoting the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) method – skin-to-skin care between parent and newborn – in maternity hospitals across Romania.
The KMC method is a vital intervention for newborns hospitalized for long periods after birth, with clinically proven effectiveness. It is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for premature babies, low birthweight newborns, and infants requiring prolonged neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization.
Studies show that:
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KMC reduces neonatal mortality by up to 40% in preterm infants under 2 kg (Lawn et al., The Lancet, 2010)
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Decreases infection incidence by 65% and shortens hospitalization (Conde-Agudelo, A., Díaz-Rossello, J.L., 2016)
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Enhances neurological development and parent-child bonding (Boundy et al., Pediatrics, 2016)
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Supports breastfeeding and thermoregulation (Moore, E.R., Bergman, N., Anderson, G.C., Medley, N., 2016)
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Provides long-term neurodevelopmental protection, reducing the risk of cognitive, behavioral, and social disabilities (Pediatrics, 139(1), e20162063)
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Is officially recommended by WHO for prolonged, intensive practice (from 30 minutes/day up to 24 hours – the more time spent in KMC, the better the outcomes for the child): Kangaroo Mother Care – WHO guideline


Results of the 2025 Edition
During the 30-day competition:
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8 maternity hospitals from Romania participated
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11 medical teams (33 nurses and neonatologists)
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132 parents involved, including 45 fathers
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100 newborns included in the practice
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1,606 hours of Kangaroo Mother Care recorded in NICU and Premature Units
Each minute of contact contributed to giving a healthier start in life to hospitalized newborns.

Final Rankings and Awards
Category A – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU):
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“Dr. I. Cantacuzino” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest – 133 points
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Mureș County Emergency Clinical Hospital – 42 points
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INSMC “Alessandrescu-Rusescu” – Polizu Maternity Hospital – 21 points
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Dâmbovița County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Târgoviște – 12 points
Category B – Premature Section:
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Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital – 361 points
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“Dr. I. Cantacuzino” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest – 190 points
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“Cuza Vodă” Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Iași – 95 points
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Mureș County Emergency Clinical Hospital – 82 points
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Brăila County Emergency Clinical Hospital – 58 points
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Slobozia County Emergency Clinical Hospital – 54 points
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INSMC “Alessandrescu-Rusescu” – Polizu Maternity Hospital – 41 points
Congratulations to the winning teams and all participants for their contribution to this edition!
2025 Prizes
This year’s prizes consist of study visits to hospitals in Budapest, which implement the Family-Centered Care model. The top-ranked teams in each category will participate in these visits.
Many thanks to the facilitator of this study visit: Dr. Bodrogi Eszter, Dr. Csaba Nador and Melletted a helyem Association.
Winning Team in Category A – NICU

Winning Team in Category B – Premature Section

Visibility & Promotion in Hospitals
The 2025 edition was accompanied by 6 professional photo sessions in participating hospital wards, capturing parents and babies practicing Kangaroo Care in NICU and Premature Units. ARNIS donates framed prints of these images to each ward where a photo session took place, as part of its visual strategy to promote the KMC method within hospitals and the wider community. Special thanks to photographers Ana Dermenschi (Iași) and Rareș Helici (Sibiu).
ARNIS Support for the implementation of the KMC Method
Since 2018, ARNIS has supported the development of the KMC method in Romania through the NICU Program, helping to build a functional ecosystem between parents, healthcare professionals, and civil society.
Key actions include:
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Donation of specialized KMC armchairs – in 2025, two armchairs were delivered to Brăila County Emergency Clinical Hospital and “Dr. I. Cantacuzino” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, through a partnership with Help Others Help Association.
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Scholarships for the FINE UK (Family and Infant Neurodevelopmental Education) Level 1 course – for healthcare professionals (500 doctors, nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, and epidemiologists trained from 2018 to 2025).
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Scholarships for FINE UK Level 2 course – 9 healthcare professionals mentored for 6 months (2018–2025 graduates).
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Donation of educational materials for parents (brochures, infographics, video seminars, and video courses).
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Establishment of ”ARNIS Support Centers” in hospitals, where veteran parents offer emotional support to currently hospitalized families
Over the five years of the competition (2021–2025), we have recorded:
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3,328 hours of KMC between parents and babies in NICUs,
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285 babies who benefited from skin-to-skin therapy,
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235 parents who experienced the closeness with their newborns during therapy,
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88 healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses) who participated in the competition and facilitated KMC practice,
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36 medical teams from 20 maternity hospitals (Level II and III),
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28 special KMC chairs donated to 14 maternity wards.
Even though the beginning was more challenging—especially during the pandemic years, 2021–2022—in the past three years the competition has been growing steadily. We count on the same upward trajectory in the future, with KMC care becoming a daily “prescription” in all units that care for premature or otherwise hospitalized newborns.


#EmbraceAPreemie Campaign (#ÎmbrățișeazăUnPrematur)
The “prescribed” daily hug in the NICU gives preemies the strength to thrive.
Every hour of Kangaroo Care is made possible by a united team: dedicated medical staff, courageous parents, the ARNIS team, and generous donors.
Implementing Kangaroo Care in Romania has only been possible thanks to the openness of neonatal professionals to change. Over the past 8 years, ARNIS has built strong, respectful, and grateful relationships with doctors, nurses, and all neonatal care staff. We are forever grateful to them for taking care of our babies and remain committed to supporting their outstanding work.
The main challenge is ensuring this good practice becomes standardized, with implementation protocols and care procedures adopted in each neonatal unit.
Sponsors and donors play a key role by financially supporting the mission of the Romanian Association for Long-Hospitalized Newborns (ARNIS). Our mission is to support families and reduce the number of children with disabilities in Romania.
We, the parents – old and new – are a vital part of the care unit. We want to be included in our baby’s life at every moment and in every context.
Parents thank you all for the 1,606 hours of Kangaroo Care “prescribed” in the 5th edition of the KMC Contest 2025.
Our Gratitude
Special thanks to all neonatal healthcare professionals.
Congratulations to the winners and all participants!
Thank you to the partners, sponsors and donors of the NICU Program and KMC Contest 2025: GE HealthCare, Pampers, Schunk Romania, Help Others Help, FAN Courier Foundation, and Donors via Direct Debit.