Prematurity Month, November 2015

November 17^th is World Prematurity Day. A day set aside since 2011 to increase awareness on premature births. Babies born before 37 weeks of completed gestation are considered pre-term or premature.  Each year, an estimated 15 million babies are born premature worldwide, a figure said to be increasing (WHO, 2014). These preterm births account for 11.1% of the world's live births out of which 60% occur in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Babies born too soon face challenges such as risk of infection, breathing difficulties and inadequate feeding. Compounding to the challenges, some of these babies are abandoned by their mothers due to societal myths and perceptions of preterms being cursed. With cost effective measures however, preemies can be given the fighting chance to survive.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Tema General Hospital was created a little over 5 years ago by Dr. Agyepong (a pediatrician) to solely serve preterm babies. Still in its infant years the facility has over the years served hundreds of babies irrespective of its current infrastructural and logistic challenges.

Little Big Souls Ghana is a non-profit organisation committed in raising awareness, advocacy and the provision of essential equipment. As part of its advocacy and support objective it has adopted the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) of the Tema General Hospital. As in previous years, it kicked off its 2015 Prematurity campaign with a fund raising 5km walk on the 31^st of October to usher in the Prematurity Month of November.  There is also the Little Big Souls Angel Ball slated for Saturday, 14^th November 2015.

This year’s fund raising events would be in aid of completing the Kangaroo Care Unit at the Tema General NICU and also getting essential equipment for the unit. The Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a method of care for preterms which involves infants being carried, usually by the mother, with skin to skin contact. It is one of the most cost effective ways to meet baby’s need for warmth, breastfeeding, protection from infection, safety and love in the absence of incubators.

As we mark prematurity month in November remember to think purple. Prematurity is neither a disease nor a curse. It can happen to anyone. Premature babies given the chance can grow to be like all other children born at term. Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s create the awareness and keep the donations coming in.

For more information on the Angel Ball check https://www.facebook.com/events/1652322118370743/

For more information check https://www.facebook.com/littlebigsoulsghana/

For inspirational stories check http://www.upworthy.com/17-photos-of-adorable-kids-who-were-born-prematurely-now-holding-their-own-baby-pictures