Caring mother of the nation, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has today joined in to the campaign of creating awareness on preterm birth also known as premature birth.The concern being that about 15 million babies are born prematurely each year and 1 million out of these are threatened by death before their 5 th birthday.
World Prematurity Day is observed on 17 November each year to raise awareness of preterm birth and the concerns of preterm babies and their families worldwide. Approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year, accounting for about one in 10 of all babies born worldwide.
Margaret Kenyatta has on this day reaffirmed the government’s commitment to nurturing babies. According to Margaret Kenyatta, this move is to ensure that they end premature births with the intention to achieve Universal Health Care which is among the Uhuru’s big four agenda.
More than 75% of all preterm deaths can be prevented if mothers receive good quality health care during pregnancy and childbirth. The First lady has shown her determination in this sector by taking up initiatives and participating in programs within the health sector.
Training nurses and doctors to identify and manage complications through innovative programs is what it takes to save premature babies.
#DYK that 15 million babies are born premature each year and 1 million out of these die before their 5th birthday? Today, as Kenya marks #WorldPrematurityDay, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing babies’ #borntoosoon. @MOH_Kenya @BeyondZeroKenya @KEMRI_Kenya @UNICEFKenya
— The First Lady Kenya (@FirstLadyKenya) November 16, 2018
This #WorldPrematurityDay, we draw our attention to the 134,500 babies that are #borntoosoon every year in Kenya and the 11,000 that die before their 5th birthday. It’s time to end preterm births in Kenya as we strive to achieve #UHC | @MOH_Kenya @BeyondZeroKenya @UCSFPTBiEA pic.twitter.com/j0cGb3VhKb
— The First Lady Kenya (@FirstLadyKenya) November 16, 2018
With these efforts by the Kenyan government there is hope to reduce the death cases of premature babies and provide the mothers with services that will reduce the chances of complication during pregnancy.
If these initiatives and programs are implemented even in the grassroot areas, this will be a guarantee to save the lives of many little angels.