Members of the University community are hereby invited to the celebration of World Prematurity Day being organized by the Paediatric unit of the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon.
Prematurity is the leading cause of under 5 mortality worldwide. In Ghana, it is one of the 3 leading causes of Infant Mortality Rate. Worldwide, at least one (1) out of 10 babies born is delivered prematurely, and about 1 million babies die yearly as a result of prematurity and its complications.
A lot of gains have been made at increasing survival of preterms worldwide. This is because of improved care for preterms.
The University of Ghana Hospital has also made great strides in ensuring that the preterms delivered in our facility survive.
Hitherto most of our preterms are referred to other facilities. Though some survived, a considerable number also passed away. However, over the last year a decision was made to keep all preterms delivered in our facility and give them the best care under the prevailing constraints to help improve their survival.
Over the last year the Unit has seen about 30 babies between 29-36 weeks gestation. Babies seen were between the birthweight of 0.9kg to 2.0kg. It is heartwarming to state that all these babies have survived.
The theme for this year's World Prematurity Day is "Working together: Partnering with families in the care of small and sick newborns".
As such the Paediatric unit of the University Hospital, Legon wishes to have an interaction with the families of these preterms to strengthen its partnership and reaffirm the values that help give improved outcomes of survival and good health
Date: 23rd November 2018
Time: 10:00 am
Venue: ANC Unit – University of Ghana Hospital
All are cordially invited to this interaction and also urged to support the setting up of a neonatal intensive care unit for improved care of these preterm newborns
