More than 60 parents and their children, who had been at the hospital as premature babies, attended the event. "We can sum this day up in one word: appreciation. Appreciation for the privilege to take care of these babies, appreciation for the facilities at George Hospital that enable us to give the necessary care. We are thankful for every baby who survives.
A premature baby's life starts unexpectedly (and under uncertain circumstances in a neonatal ICU) but here at George Hospital they are instantly part of the family of doctors and nurses. We say thank you," said Dr Ilse Els, neonatalist at the George Hospital.
World Prematurity Day, 17 November, aims to raise awareness around the issue of premature births around the world.
A premature birth occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation (pregnancy). In humans, a normal gestational period is from 38-42 weeks. Ideally, babies remain in the womb until they are full-term, but for various reasons this does not always happen.
The causes of pre-term birth vary, but in most cases the exact cause is unknown. Most babies in neonatal units weigh 1 500g and less, which is less than half the weight a normal baby should be. In the Western Cape about 20% of the babies born weigh less than 2 500g.
The World Health Organisation figures for prematurity worldwide are alarming, and gave rise to Development Millennium Goal no 4 - to reduce child mortality by two thirds by 2015.
Inequalities in neonatal survival rates exist around the world. In low-income settings half the babies born before 32 weeks sadly die due to lack of feasible, cost-effective care, which includes incubation facilities, breastfeeding support, prevention of infection and basic respiratory interventions.
In high income settings, almost all these babies survive.
Over 80% of pre-term deaths result from the following preventable and treatable causes:
Complications of prematurity
Neonatal infections
Birth asphyxia
The Western Cape Government Health is combating these unnecessary pre-term deaths in the province, some of these measures include getting more incubators and supporting campaigns like the purple campaign, which will help the province save more lives.
The Disney themed party was loved by all the children.
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