Preterm babies are threat to Ghana's healthcare sector—RISE-Ghana

Preterm deaths continue to pose danger to Ghana’s efforts in achieving the Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which is to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.

This is because the country continues to record high numbers in preterm births, which invariably contribute to neonatal deaths as preterm babies are highly vulnerable.

Preterm babies are babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

A study conducted by Lancet and published by BBC in 2014 shows that preterm birth accounts for more than one million deaths per year - mostly in the developing world.

The global mortality rate among the under-fives has declined from 76 to 46 deaths per 1,000 live births since 2000.

In a statement issued by the Executive Director of the Rural Initiatives and Self-Empowerment Ghana (RISE-Ghana), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Upper East Region, to mark the World Prematurity Day, Mr Awal Ahmed Kariama said preterm deaths could be reduced in the country if proper measures are instituted to cater for such babies.

He said in 2015 alone, an estimated 128,000 babies were born prematurely in Ghana and an estimated 8,300 under 5 deaths in 2015 were associated to prematurity.

He said because the preterm babies are born before their lungs, brain and other organs are well developed, such babies are highly vulnerable to infections which cause their deaths.

Mr Kariama has, therefore, called for support for mothers who give birth to preterm babies in order to ensure the survival of such babies and prevent preterm deaths in the country.

He has also called on the government to resource health facilities with appropriate logistics so that they can cater for preterm babies.

Celebration

The World Prematurity Day is observed on 17 November each year to raise awareness of preterm birth and the concerns of preterm babies and their families worldwide.

Approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year, accounting for about one in 10 of all babies born worldwide.

Below is the full statement

WORLD PREMATURITY DAY: LET THEM THRIVE, RESPECTFUL CARE FOR THE SMALLEST

As the World Marks World Prematurity Day on November 17th, we wish to commend the great efforts and sacrifices made by UNICEF Ghana, Ghana Dental and Medical Council, the Ghana Health Service Religious and Community Leaders and other stakeholders working at various levels to ensure a healthy start and survival of preterm babies across Ghana.

In 2015 alone, an estimated 128,000 babies were born prematurely in Ghana and an estimated 8,300 under 5 deaths in 2015 were associated to prematurity (UNICEF).

A preterm birth is defined as a baby born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed, it is the single largest cause of all under-five deaths, globally, 1 in 10 babies are born preterm, affecting families all globally.

The target of reducing neonatal deaths from 32/1000 live births to 21/1000 set in Ghana’s Newborn Care Strategy and Action Plan and the SDG target for ending preventable newborn and child deaths by 2030 cannot be met without reducing preterm deaths.

Because most of their body parts and functions are premature, preterm babies are highly susceptible to Apnea (shortage of breathing) among others which can lead to death.

Despite this, there is hope as simple and cost effective measures exist to prevent this needless deaths as observed by the Former UNICEF Ghana Country Representative, “Many of these deaths could be avoided by simple practices such as hand washing with soap and water, exclusive breastfeeding and keeping the newborn warm” said Susan N. Ngongi, UNICEF Representative in Ghana.”

Basic and simple hygiene practices during antenatal care, labour and birth, such as birth-attendant hand washing and clean birthing surfaces can reduce the risk of infections, sepsis and death for infants and mothers by up to 25%. Yet 42% of health care facilities in Africa do not have access to an improved water source and almost one 1/5 did not have toilets or basic latrines (WHO/UNICEF, 2015). A win-win and innovative partnership from the private sector, civil society and government such the innovative Mother Baby Friendly Health Facility Initiatives (MBFHI) funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well the District League Table (DLT) pioneered by UNICEF and CDD-Ghana need to be urgently scaled up to reverse the trend

Let us rally local support and buy-in on this important day of World Prematurity Day to break the taboo and raise awareness about huge burden of death, disability, the psychological stress, and the pain and suffering that preterm birth causes to parents, families, communities and nations at large (International Journal of Epidemiology, 2010).

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a simple but proven method that saves preterm babies has come to be the standard care for preterm newborns. KMC significantly reduces complications due to prematurity such as hypothermia (low body temperature) and reduces the risk of death by 50% (UNICEF Ghana, 2016).