Excerpts from AllAfrica website.
Uganda is one of the countries struggling with a high number of premature babies, a recent report released on global premature deliveries has shown.
Out of at least 1.5 million Ugandan babies born annually, more than 200,000 (14 per cent) are premature or born before the 37-week gestation. This, according to the report, ‘Born too soon: the global action report on preterm birth’, ranks Uganda 13th out of 184 high-burden countries.
The report was compiled by World Health Organization (WHO), Save the Children, March of Dimes and The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
At a press conference at the Health ministry last week, assistant commissioner nursing, Sr Enid Mwebaza, said southeastern Uganda is leading in premature births mainly because of malnutrition and malaria. Uganda also ranks 11th in the number of deaths due to complications from pre-term birth.
Statistics from the ministry of Health show that 38 per cent of the roughly 40,000 deaths occurring in the babies’ first 28 days are due to premature births. “Many of the preterm babies who survive face a lifetime of disability.
A premature baby is likely to develop breathing problems, poor formation of the heart, brain and immune system function,” state minister for health in charge of general duties Dr Elioda Tumwesigye said at the briefing.
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