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GEORGE NEWS - Parents, guardians and preterm toddlers were the guests of honour at the George Prematurity Day on Friday 16 November.
Worldwide, people observed Prematurity Day on Saturday 17 November to acknowledge the journey of preterm infants and their families. CEO of the George hospital Michael Vonk thanked the sponsors and the hospital board for making the day special for one and all.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that every year, 15 million infants worldwide are born preterm. Sadly, the complications of preterm birth are among the leading causes of death in children under five. All infants born preterm require immediate and significant medical care that pose unexpected challenges - emotional and financial - to their parents and family system.
A premature birth occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation (pregnancy). In humans, a normal gestation period is from 38 to 42 weeks. Ideally, babies remain in the womb until they are full-term, but for various reasons this does not always happen. The causes of preterm birth vary, but in most cases the exact cause is unknown.
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Most babies in neonatal units weigh 1 500g and less, which is less than half the weight a baby should be. According to 2017/18 Eden District statistics, 63 babies were born weighing less than 1kg and 519 babies were born weighing between 1 and 2kg in the district.
Ntombizanele Kranshi with 3-month-old Oyintando. Ntombizanele said the service she received at the George Hospital was the best ever.
Dr Miemie du Preez, senior consultant of neonatology at the Tygerberg hospital says premature infants are human beings that were born while being under construction. "It is in the hands of nurses, doctors, mothers, fathers and families to grow them and guide them safely through hospital stay.
"To fulfil their destiny and full potential they need the support, input and guidance of their community."
Western Cape Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo said, "We also believe that the healthy early development of a child, and the well-being of the mother, is the responsibility of the community. It takes the whole village to raise a healthy child."
George Hospital staff nurse Juanita Stols (left) and Roché September enjoy a moment at the prematurity party held at the George Civic Centre. Roché was born at 28 weeks, weighing 940g.
Kangaroo mother care
Kangaroo mother care is a method of care of preterm infants weighing less than 2kg. It includes exclusive and frequent breastfeeding in addition to skin-to-skin contact and support for both mother and infant, and has been shown to reduce mortality in hospital-based studies in low- and middle-income countries.
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