World Prematurity Day 2024

This year, The NEST360 countries celebrated World Prematurity Day 2024 with partnering hospitals, representatives from ministries of health, and community leaders. World Prematurity Day is an international day to raise awareness for babies who are born too soon.

Read on for summaries of each NEST360 country’s World Prematurity Day celebration.

In Ethiopia, the team joined in a KMC Town Hall as part of its World Prematurity Day activities. Malawi hosted their World Prematurity Day celebration alongside its official launch of NEST360 Phase 2 on December 12. Kenya’s celebration included a feature with mothers sharing their Kangaroo Mothers Care Experiences on Kenya’s television station K 24TV and a story about the NEST360 World Prematurity Day celebration at Wuse District Hospital and Bwari General Hospital on TVC Nigeria News.

Kenya

Kenya celebrated WPD 2024 by joining the national celebrations led by the Ministry of Health in Homabay County at Kenya Medical Training College. The Cabinet Secretary of Health, Deborah Barasa, Health Director, Patrick Amoth, Homa Bay County Governor, Gladys Wanga, and other county officials, development partners, community health promoters and the community joined the celebration. The Cabinet Secretary of Health and county governor acknowledged NEST360 efforts in supporting newborn healthcare throughout Kenya.

Malawi

The Malawi team was joined by the Ministry of Health representatives and community members on December 12 at Mchinji Community Center Ground to commemorate World Prematurity Day. Dr. Samson Mndolo, the Malawi Secretary of Health, issued a reminder that “Everyone has a role to play in ensuring the survival and well-being of premature and low birth weight babies. [These] babies have the potential to grow healthy and become productive citizens.”

Nigeria

Nigeria gathered for celebrations with the Federal Capital Territory Health Services and Environment Secretariat for a launch of NEST360 equipment installed at Wuse District Hospital and Bwari General Hospital. The Mandate Secretary for Health also attended and emphasized Nigeria’s dedication to supporting quality care from the moment of birth for small and sick newborns.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia held a KMC Town Hall on World Prematurity Day to promote the lifesaving practice of Kangaroo Mother Care and immediate Kangaroo Mother Care. Discussions focused on healthcare professionals’ experiences, challenges faced, and suggestions for stakeholders. Hospital managers, department heads, and healthcare providers shared their experiences initiating iKMC, challenges encountered, and recommendations for scaling up iKMC. At other events during the Ethiopia World Prematurity Day celebrations, Mr. Meles Solomon, the National Newborn and Child Health Team Lead, welcomed those in attendance, which included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Reginal Health Bureaus, and the media. He invited Dr. Anteneh Miteku, Provost of Abebech Gobena Hospital, to give opening remarks.  Dr. Dureti spoke at the NICU unit of Abebech Gobena Hospital

Tanzania

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) and NEST360 co-hosted an event for World Prematurity Day 2024, honoring the resilience of premature infants and their families while celebrating the strides in healthcare that improve survival rates and quality of life for these vulnerable newborns. You can read more on IHI’s website here.