However, many survivors face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities, visual and hearing problems. Globally, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five years. And in almost all countries with reliable data, preterm birth rates are increasing.
Due to the dearth of data in Nigeria, it is projected the number of deaths from preterm could be high taking cognizance of unaccounted births through home deliveries.To change the narratives and outcomes and also to mark World Prematurity Day 2019, Outreach Women and Children’s Hospital Lagos organised an awareness walk to educate the populace about the scourge.
The expert said that lack of competence of staff, manpower, low awareness, infrastructural deficit and lack of up to date technology are challenges being faced by the sector.“Taking care of preterm babies requires intensive training and skills and what I will call manual dexterity, using your hands to do a very fine job because they are very tiny. You can imagine passing in consumables and instruments through these babies.
Also, Chief Operating Officer, Outreach Women and Children’s Hospital Group, Dr. Segun Ebitanmi, said that one out of 10 babies born are premature and one out of four will die.He added that preterm babies do not have to die because of innovative technology and tools to handle such cases.