The World Prematurity Day (WPD) is a day set aside to raise awareness of preterm deliveries and discuss issues surrounding the management of these vulnerable children. It is celebrated all over the world on 17th November. The theme for this year was; “Zero Separation” Act Now! Keep parents and babies born too soon together.
This year, Abiye Maternal and Child Health International Foundation (AMCH) worked with a committee/team drawn from Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH) and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to commemorate World Prematurity Day (WPD).
AMCH WORLD PREMATURITY DAY 2021 ACTIVITIES
The program consisted of two main events .The events were both hybrid and include:
1. A Symposium On The Science Behind Zero Separation of Preterm Infant and Mother: Issues in our Setting
The Symposium consisted of a Journal Review, Keynote Lecture and KMC Presentations. This was done online on zoom on Wednesday 17th November at 10am. Over 80 people were in attendance. The representatives from LSMOH, Dr. Victoria Omoera, LASUTH Management (the Head of Department, Paediatrics, Dr. Omolara Kehinde), NISOMN President, Dr. Olukemi Tongo, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, AMCH (Dr. Olufemi Olugbile) and Dr. Mobolaji Lawal representing the private sector gave goodwill messages.
The Keynote lecture based on the theme was delivered by Dr. Zainab Imam (Consultant Paediatrician, Neonatal Unit, LASUTH).
There were demonstrations of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) by Mrs. Mercy Olowe and Mrs. Titilayo Kilajolu; Chief Nursing Officers of the Paediatric Department, LASUTH. Video Demonstrations on KMC activities at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital were also shown and viewed by the audience online.
Tunnizze Creations’ representative, Mrs. Okeleye gave a report on knitting done by children from different parts of the country. Tunnizze also helped solicit for donations in kind and cash to support AMCH work for pre-terms.
2. Stakeholders Meeting; An Audit of Preterm Babies By Representatives of Various Hospitals/Facilities at the Seminar Room, Ayinke House LASUTH.
The closed door stakeholders meeting was the second event of the day and it began at 1.30pm. This was mainly virtual and was anchored by both Dr. Olutekunbi and Dr. Oluwabiyi with a panel of judges of both nurses and doctors. A total of 15 facilities participated. The facilities that participated include: Gbagada General Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Randle General Hospital, Massey Street Children Hospital, Ikorodu General Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Ijede General Hospital, Alimosho General Hospital, Amuwo-Odofin MCC, Epe General Hospital, Badagry General Hospital, Ajeromi General Hospital, Eti-Osa General Hospital and Isolo General Hospital.
Mobility and Mortality presentations were made on slides from these facilities. There was sharing of experiences from different hospitals. The challenges involved were highlighted and discussed and recommendations made on the management and care of these preterm babies. An important observation was the improved care with new innovations and reduced mortality of the infants across facilities.
The meeting was well-attended and successful with excellent journal review and keynote lecture and an interesting interactive session. Overall, it was a huge success.