C-Care Uganda marks World Prematurity Day
CAPTION: Dr. Miriam Musinga Mutero (2nd L), General Manager C-Care IHK stands with parents and children who overcame prematurity during C-Care Uganda’s World Prematurity Day celebration to pose for a group photo. (Courtsey photo).
By Celia Nsimire
KAMPALA – C-Care Uganda joined the global community in commemorating World Prematurity Day under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” The event, held at the C-Care Mother and Child Centre in Kampala, brought together doctors, nurses, parents, and media partners to honour the resilience of premature babies and to highlight the critical importance of neonatal care..
The gathering focused on promoting the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which has become a lifeline for families with preterm infants, as well as on raising awareness of the significance of early medical intervention, family support, and specialised maternal care.
Dr Miriam Musinga Mutero, General Manager at C-Care IHK, emphasised, “Prematurity is not merely a medical condition; it is a family journey. Our teams at the NICU walk alongside parents every day, combining skill with empathy to ensure each baby grows stronger, one breath at a time.”
Dr Sheba Nahurira, Head of Pediatric Department of C-Care Uganda, stated, “Every newborn deserves a fair start. When a baby arrives too soon, every minute counts. Our NICU and Mother and Child Centre were designed to ensure that no baby’s chance at life is left to chance.
CAPTION: Dr. Miriam Musinga Mutero (center) and Dr. Sheba Nahurira (2nd R) join NICU former patients and their families in cutting the celebration cake during C-Care Uganda’s World Prematurity Day event. (Courtsey photo).
C-Care’s investments in neonatal technology and training were guided by one principle: that access to quality care at birth should not depend on geography or circumstance.”
According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year worldwide, with complications from prematurity accounting for nearly 1 million deaths annually. This statistic underscores the urgent need for enhanced neonatal care and support systems.
The event featured poignant stories from parents whose babies overcame prematurity with the support of the NICU, reminding attendees that behind every statistic is a child, a mother, and a team dedicated to perseverance. Guests also toured the Mother & Child Centre to witness the advanced neonatal technology and the nurturing spaces designed for mothers to bond with their infants.
One of the parents, Bakita Josephine, shared, “When my daughter arrived too soon, I was terrified and I had lost hope. But the team at C-Care became our family, and they guided us, comforted us, and gave my baby a fighting chance. Today, she’s healthy and thriving because of the care and hope we found here.”;
Since 2017, C-Care Hospital has delivered to around 703 premature infants. These figures highlight a problem that has to be addressed by raising awareness of premature deliveries and the necessary support measures. With the right care, every child has the potential to thrive. Together, we can ensure that every baby receives the care they deserve.
