Doctors (Pediatricians), Nurses and other Health Staff of the department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital joined their counterparts across the globe to celebrate this year’s world Prematurity Day with the theme “Small action ,BIG IMPACT: immediate skin to skin care for every baby everywhere”.
Head of department pediatrics Professor Peace Okpara said the department had planned a line up of activities to commemorate the world prematurity day. The event started at the Children out-patient clinic (CHOP) to create awareness on the adaptation of what the paediatrician call Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) also known as Skin to Skin Care. Dr.Opara explained that the Kangaroo mother care helps the premature baby to stay worm especially in conditions where there are no incubator or lack of finance to sponsor such care.
Other activities as disclosed by the HOD includes radio show, a rally which took place on the 17th of November to sensitize the general public.
The sensitization talk also had Matron Igonikon Anga educating mothers on the benefits of KMC which she listed as follows;
helping the baby to lactate well, creating bond between mother and child, to keep baby worm,protect them from infection and aiding heart rate. ADN Egekwu Grace commended mothers, and appreciated members of staff and the management of the hospital for supporting the survival of the neonate ( preterm babies) which is the essence of the campaign.
