The Executive Director of Tiny Beating Hearts Initiatives (TBHI), Petra Akinti-Onyegbule has described death of premature babies as needless and preventable if hospitals are adequately equipped for neonatal services.
Onyegbule made this known during a press Conference on Tuesday in her office in Lokoja, ahead of the 2018 World Prematurity Day coming up on November 17.
She announced that, as parts of activities to mark the 2018 World Prematurity Day, TBHI will unveil a mobile app and a shortcode service that would help in educating and informing challenged parents on hospitals with neonatal services for their premature babies.
She stated that her organization will begin the day with a walk in the morning to be followed by a one day seminar with the theme: “Partnering Together: Working With Families in The Care of Small and Sick Babies”, at the Kogi State Government House in Glass House around 10 o’clock in the morning.
She said the effort is aimed at educating the public on how medical personnel, government and the general public could help families in caring for preemies and babies born with low birth weight.
“TBHI since inception in 2015 has assisted in saving the lives of over 28 babies. Between May and November this year, nine babies have been assisted by TBHI in Kogi State alone. The death of premature babies is needless and can be prevented, if hospitals are adequately equipped,” she added.
Mrs. Onyegbule appealed to Nigerians to join hands in the fight to reducing the scourge of premature babies, pointing out that it is a serious problem that requires the support of everyone as government can not do it all.
