By Agency
The Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, has said that it celebrated the impacts of medical services rendered to premature babies delivered in its facilities.
The Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, said this at an event to commemorate 2023 World Prematurity Day on Friday.
Adeyemo, who was represented by Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Rufus Ojewola, said LUTH had done a lot in taking care of preterm babies.
He added that the hospital took care of preterm babies from Lagos State and from teaching hospitals outside Lagos “because LUTH has a dedicated neonatal unit and staff that can take care of such babies.”
The Head of Department, Paediatrics, Professor Abiola Oduwole,said Nov. 17 has been dedicated yearly as the day for creating awareness about preterm babies.
Oduwole said that in olden days when a baby was born preterm, the baby may not survive but with improvements in science, facilities and equipment, more preterm babies are surviving.
He added that “what we want to tell the world is that being a preterm does not mean the end of life but the beginning of experience of the world that will give you the best.”
According to the Head of Newborn Unit, LUTH, Professor Chinyere Ezeaka, Nov. 17 was set aside to recognise preterm champions who are vulnerable newborn but leaders of tomorrow.
Ezeaka said that the day is to recognise issues pertaining to preterm babies and their families.
“The theme of this year’s preterm babies day is: Small Actions, BIG IMPACT: Immediate Skin-to-Skin Care for Every Baby Everywhere says we’re all stakeholders and everyone should make a difference.
“It’s not just recognising the day but what we are going to change, how we are going to galvanise more efforts toward their care, health insurance, more equipment so that preterm babies will survive” she said.
Also, Dr Iretiola Fajolu, the Consultant, Newborn Unit, LUTH, said that “the theme of this year’s celebration focuses on care; there are little things that we can do to improve their survival.”
Fajolu said that these little actions that are simple and cost effective goes a long way in improving survival of preterm babies.
(NAN)
