The Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has nurtured a 24 weeks old preterm baby with birth weight 0.48 kg to 1.5kg.

The baby born on Friday, 25th March 2022 in a prayer house after the mother suffered severe abdominal pains, were quickly rushed to a private hospital due to the condition of the baby and how tiny the baby was. The private hospital however referred them to UPTH where there are experienced professionals who can manage the baby.

The Neonatologists (Doctors) and Nurses in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the hospital managed the preterm baby with so much commitment and hardwork to ensure the baby survives.

Professor Peace Opara (Neonatologist & HOD Paediatrics) stated that the Hospital’s SCBU successfully managed a preterm admitted at birth weight 0.48kg and at 24weeks gestational period (delivered after six months in the womb), discharged at 1.5kg after eleven weeks of care. She said it is the first of its kind for the hospital and it is worth celebrating.

Professor Augusta Eneh (Consultant and Head SCBU) in an exclusive interview said the unit was able to manage the baby till the weight of the baby increased to 1.5kg. She said, “the baby is doing well, she’s weighing 1.9kg currently. We have been communicating with the parents of the baby and we have been following them up. We told the mother to come to the clinic with the baby every Tuesday for checkup.”

Matron Anga Igonikon (Head Nurse SCBU) stated they have had preterm babies with birth weights ranging from 0.55kg to 0.60kg but 0.48kg was the first in the history of UPTH SCBU.

This is a major victory for UPTH and it is a feat to be reckoned with by global standards.