Nkwen Baptist Hospital celebrates the Strength of Premature Infants on World Prematurity Day
In honor of World Prematurity Day on November 17, Nkwen Baptist Hospital in Bamenda hosted a heartwarming celebration to recognize the resilience and strength of premature infants and their families. Celebrated under the theme, “Small actions, big impact, immediate skin to skin care for every baby everywhere,” staff at the Neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital carried out sensitization talks on radio, at a Doctors seminar and among staff at chapel, all in a bit to raise awareness about the challenges and triumphs of preterm birth.
Mothers and their babies born prematurely were invited to join in the celebration during which Dr. Kan Kate Mafor, Pediatrician at the hospital called on them to do follow up of the babies until they are two years. Dr. Kan emphasized that premature birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, affects approximately 15 million babies worldwide each year, with one million tragically succumbing to premature birth-related complications. She noted that the majority of these cases occur in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, with Cameroon and Bamenda not being exempt from this global challenge.
The pediatrician underscored the critical role of the celebration to create awareness because of the impact it causes in increasing under-five mortality since 47% of under-five mortality is due to prematurity. She further elaborated on the potential causes of premature delivery, emphasizing the importance of focused antenatal care. Early and consistent prenatal checkups by trained professionals can help identify and address potential risk factors such as infections, diseases like hypertension and diabetes, under nutrition, and anemia.
Dr. Kan cautioned that managing premature babies is particularly challenging, especially when born before 28 completed weeks of gestation. These infants often face a multitude of complications, including an inability to regulate their body temperature, immature digestive systems hindering feeding, breathing problems, and a host of other health concerns. If left untreated, these complications can lead to fatal outcomes. Even for those who survive, long-term complications can arise, adding to the burden of disability.
According to Dr. Kan, this year’s theme focuses on how little things that do not require financial resources can improve preterm care and this is simply by putting the baby skin to skin with the mother, father or any willing care giver and that has a lot of benefits. Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate the baby’s temperature, promotes and enhances breastfeeding, facilitates close monitoring of the baby’s condition, reduces maternal anxiety and infection risk, and, most importantly, has been shown to reduce mortality rates by up to 65%.
The babies were presented with gifts. Their stories, according to the mothers, are filled with both heartache and triumph. A mother recounts her emotional experience in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) following her surgery. Upon admission, she found the environment overwhelming and filled with tears, but she credits the NICU staff, particularly Chantal, for providing support and comfort. She expresses deep gratitude for the existence of the NICU facility, acknowledging its critical role in saving lives. She praises the nurses, chaplains, and overall management of the hospital.
As a nurse assistant in the neonatal unit (NICU), Laah Chantal Nayah has witnessed firsthand the intricate world of caring for premature babies. She acknowledges the challenges that come with extended stays in the NICU, both for the clients and the nurses. One of the primary challenges, according to Nayah, is the financial burden on clients associated with prolonged NICU stays. Another challenge lies in managing client expectations. Out of concern for their babies, mothers may attempt to perform tasks that are best left to the trained staff. This can lead to overfeeding or underfeeding, potentially disrupting the baby’s delicate nutritional balance.
The climate in Bamenda also poses a unique challenge. Due to the cooler temperatures, premature babies often require longer periods in incubators to maintain their body temperature, extending their NICU stay. Amidst these challenges, Nayah emphasizes the emotional investment that nurses make in their work. They put themselves in the shoes of the parents, sharing their anxieties and celebrating their baby’s progress. When a baby’s condition changes, it can be particularly stressful for the nurses, who feel a deep sense of responsibility for their patients’ well-being.
Madam Kenchi Hope, a midwife at Nkwen Baptist Hospital, expressed her joy at seeing the healthy and strong premature babies during the celebration. She highlighted the importance of early intervention and Kangaroo care, a method of skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby, in promoting bonding, breastfeeding, preventing infections, and regulating body temperature. She emphasized the cost-effectiveness of Kangaroo care and the benefits of stimulating premature babies to improve their breathing and lung development.
Madam Kenchi urged nurses from other hospitals to recognize their limitations and refer mothers with preterm labor to facilities equipped to handle premature babies. She emphasized the importance of timely referrals, especially while the baby is still in the womb, as transporting a delivered premature baby can be challenging and increase the risk of death.
The senior midwife noted that Nkwen Baptist Hospital has a breast milk bank to provide small feeds for premature babies whose mothers are unable to breastfeed. Additionally, the hospital provides medication for babies with infections to ensure their well-being. The nurses celebrated the progress of the premature babies they had cared for, some of whom weighed as little as 720 grams at birth.
“Every premature birth is a story waiting to be told. A story of resilience, of hope, and of the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. Every premature baby is a fighter, and every day they spend in the NICU is a victory”.