Incremental costs of scaling up kangaroo mother care: Results from implementation research in Ethiopia and India

Aim: To estimate incremental costs of an implementation model for scaling up Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for neonates with birthweight <2000 g. Methods: Seven sites across Ethiopia and India collected data for 2018–19 to calculate incremental recurrent costs (of health worker time, supplies, and operations) and start-up costs for KMC scale up. The costs were estimated per live newborn <2000 g eligible for KMC identified in the study population. Results: Scaling up KMC in study districts required average incremental costs of US$59 (95% CI US$ 52–67) in Ethiopia and US$72 (95% CI US$ 41–103) in India per eligible newborn in the population. Most of these costs were recurrent; the annualised start-up costs per eligible newborn ranged from 12%–25% of total costs in Ethiopia and 9%–16% in India. The major cost driver was human resources, followed by initial and recurrent training, supplies, and communications costs. Incremental infrastructure costs were only 2%–6% of total costs in both countries. Most of the costs were for activities at the KMC implementing facility, accounting for 79%–88% of the total costs in Ethiopia and 89%–93% of those in India. Conclusion: The costs for successful scale up of KMC seem affordable but must be included in programme budgets. © 2022 World Health Organization; licensed by Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica.