Most parents eagerly anticipate the arrival of their newborns as good news for their families. However, when babies arrive too early, they require intense care due to the risk of adverse health outcomes. Annually, the World Health Organisation (WHO), marks World Prematurity Day on 17th November to increase awareness on challenges associated with prematurity and advocate for improved care to enhance their general wellbeing and survival rate of these preterm babies.
The University Hospital, Legon, was not left out in this year’s celebration of Prematurity Day, held with a durbar under the theme “Small Actions, Big Impacts” at the Hospital’s antenatal Unit. Health workers, parents of children who were born preterm, expectant families and the public engaged in educational sessions and sharing of experiences pertaining to the care for preterm babies.
Speaking at the durbar, the Paediatric Specialist of the Hospital, Dr. Abena Agyeiwaa Bonuedie noted that the Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) had received 42 premature infants during the year under review with the majority of them surviving due to improved care and multisectoral collaboration. She emphasised the Hospital’s commitment to improving the care and health outcomes of these babies and called on well-meaning stakeholders to support the unit with two Radiant Warmers to enhance the care of such babies.
Families of some surviving preterms who were present were filled with gratitude for the help they received to care for and support the growth and development of their babies. They recalled feelings of hopelessness, fear, and anxiety which gripped them upon receiving the news that they were going to have preterm babies but were full of praise for the team at the NICU for the exceptional care and support which livened them up through those difficult moments.
It was an exciting celebration filled with laughter and great testimonials from the families who were present. The University of Ghana acknowledges and commends the efforts of dedicated staff of the Paediatric Unit, in spite of resource constraints, and urges stakeholders to support the Unit to deliver improved services to their clients.
