Osun joins global community for world prematurity day celebration



......Highlights iKMC as Lifeline for Preterm Babies

By Segilola Babalola

The Osun State Government  joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 World Prematurity Day celebration, highlighting renewed commitment to improving survival rates of preterm babies through Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC).

The event, held at the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, was organized in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) iKMC Centre and the Nigeria Implementation Research Centre.

Speaking during the rally, Consultant Neurologist and Pediatrician, and Head of the WHO-iKMC Centre at the hospital, Dr. Kayode Olamide Valentine, explained that World Prematurity Day is dedicated to raising awareness, drawing global attention, and celebrating the resilience of preterm babies. This year’s theme is “Give Preterm Babies a Strong Start for a Brighter Future.”


Dr. Kayode noted that babies weighing less than 2.5kg are categorized as low-birth-weight babies, adding that most of them are preterm because they have not had sufficient time to fully develop in the womb. He explained that even babies born at term can be underweight if the mother experiences medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or poor nutrition during pregnancy.

“Prematurity is not the mother’s fault. In many cases, it is beyond anyone’s control,” he said, emphasizing that many health facilities across Nigeria now offer Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care as a life-saving measure for preterm babies.

He stressed that iKMC has been scientifically proven to help stabilize and improve the survival chances of preterm and low-birth-weight babies, who are more vulnerable to hypothermia, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, and infections. “Placing small babies immediately on their mother’s chest can significantly reduce death and improve their chances of long-term survival,” he added.

Highlighting their achievements, Dr. Kayode revealed that the WHO-iKMC Centre at the Asubiaro Specialist Hospital managed  about 350 low birth weight babies per year. The center recorded zero death in its first year among babies placed under immediate KMC, just one death recorded in the second year.He attributed the success to the benefits of KMC, which include temperature stability, reduced infection risk, improved bonding, enhanced breastfeeding, and respiratory support.
He noted the alarming rise in preterm births globally, stating that one in every ten babies is born prematurely—a figure influenced by conditions such as maternal hypertension, diabetes, and stress.

The pediatrician urged mothers not to hide their premature babies at home but to visit healthcare centres where iKMC, warmth, oxygen, and other essential support systems are available. “Preterm babies lack body fat and need adequate warmth and care to survive,” he said.

Also speaking, the Principal Investigator for the WHO-iKMC project, Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, explained that Kangaroo Mother Care involves placing the baby skin-to-skin on the mother’s chest, a practice that offers numerous benefits including temperature regulation, enhanced bonding, and improved breastfeeding outcomes.
Prof. Adejuyigbe commended the Osun State Government for providing an enabling environment for the implementation of the project and for supporting initiatives aimed at safeguarding newborn health.

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