Highlighting the premature birth of 15 million babies each year worldwide.
Every year, 15 million babies are born premature worldwide. More than one million of these babies die, and many more face serious, lifelong health challenges. Preterm birth is truly a problem that can happen to every one of us, irrespective of the country we live in, our culture or socioeconomic status.
Worldwide, one in ten babies are born too early – more than 27,000 each year in Australia alone. Giving birth to a child is one of the paramount, most positive experiences in life. Having a baby born too soon is a significant trauma for families. Preterm birth also represents a severe financial burden for many families and our often struggling healthcare systems.
Raising awareness of preterm birth is the first step to defeating it: Preterm birth rates could be significantly reduced and lowered through overall information and improved treatment and care.
November 17 is World Prematurity Day, a globally celebrated awareness day to increase awareness of preterm births as well as the deaths and disabilities due to prematurity and the simple, proven, cost-effective measures that could prevent them.
Miracle Babies Foundation Founder, Melinda Cruz said, ‘This worldwide issue is a huge challenge here in Australia with around 27,000 families each year affected by prematurity. This flows on to have a high impact on each and every local community and chances are you or someone you know has experienced the trauma of having a baby born too soon. We all have a role to play in the support of these families and the always improving healthcare provided by our hospitals.
What is World Prematurity Day?
Since 2008, World Prematurity Day has been celebrated by European parents’ groups. In 2011, it was celebrated for the first time globally. Since then, many groups, societies, organisations, companies and even individuals across the world joined in. It is now celebrated throughout the world, involving more than 60 countries globally, reaching nearly 1.5 billion people.
Questions? Call +254 718 994 368 / +254 733 994 368 or e-mail: wecare@pathwayintl.co.ke
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