Premature births drop by 15% in Busia

Busia County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr Maurice Siminyu, says that the number of pre-mature births in the county’s public hospitals has dropped from 47% to 32%.

Quoting a County Assessment Report, the health boss, who was speaking during the World Prematurity Day observed on November 17, said the reduced level of premature births was attributed to the Kangaroo Mother Care initiative launched over a year ago.

Siminyu said that skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their preterm children creates warmth for the child adding that it has helped reduce the likely overcrowding in public hospitals caused by huge demands for incubators.

He urged mothers to breastfeed their children till the required duration so that the children can have boosted immunity.

Busia First Lady, Judy Ojaamong, who echoed Siminyu’s sentiments, added that men should stop avoiding responsibilities at home and instead assist in making their children comfortable as they grow.

Written by Lucy Akinyi