World Prematurity Day is celebrated every year on November 17 to raise awareness about the challenges faced by preterm babies and their families, as well as to demonstrate solidarity and compassion for such families. This day was commemorated by the March of Dimes in association with the Euro-NICU as World Prematurity Day to celebrate the resilience and strength of families raising preterm babies and to extend an arm of hope, love, empathy, and support to them. Babies born too early face numerous challenges in many aspects of life while growing up and require special assistance to help them grow safely. The World Prematurity Day aims to raise awareness and provide support to these tiny wonders, giving them a world of love.
History Of World Prematurity Day 2024
November 17 as World Prematurity Day was coined by the March of Dimes for the first time in 2011 to raise awareness for the millions of preterm babies born worldwide. Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are termed as “premature” or “preterm” babies. At such a tender stage, the organs inside the baby are not fully developed. Therefore, special care and rehabilitation are of utmost importance to support the baby in its further growth.
Medical technology and research have made momentous leaps over the past few decades in addressing various health complications and conditions of growing babies from the womb to adulthood. However, babies born prematurely carry various risks and are also vulnerable to developing conditions like cerebral palsy. An estimated 1 out of 10 babies are born prematurely worldwide. Unfortunately, premature birth is one of the leading causes of death for preterm babies.
World Prematurity Day 2024 Theme
The global theme of World Prematurity Day 2024 is “Small actions, BIG IMPACT: Immediate skin-to-skin care for every baby everywhere.” Skin-to-skin contact has been proven to be extremely effective for every baby, especially for premature babies. Initiated right after birth, the practice of skin-to-skin contact contributes to the baby’s awareness of touch and affection, playing a pivotal role in starting and sustaining breastfeeding.
Significance of World Prematurity Day 2024
World Prematurity Day 2024 celebrates the importance of skin-to-skin contact between the baby and mother, which is essential for providing loving and sensitive care for the baby, much needed for their development. The practice of skin-to-skin contact with the mother is linked to the development of emotions and memory and also favours oxytocin secretion, enhancing the bonding between mother and child. The significance of World Prematurity Day 2024 lies in raising awareness about premature birth and encouraging research and prevention methods.
- Awareness about preterm birth
By observing World Prematurity Day, we can shed light on the importance of providing care and raising awareness about the devastating effects of premature birth on the baby, the parents, and the family of the baby. Through this day, awareness about creating better healthcare and treatment opportunities can be sought for preterm babies to improve the outcomes of medical care given to them for their growth.
- Reinforcing preventive measures
World Prematurity Day promotes the importance of preventing and detecting chances of premature birth, as well as ensuring proactive care for the babies to reduce complications and encourage care for preterm babies by highlighting the risks associated with preterm birth.
- Encouraging research
By observing World Prematurity Day 2024, we can promote, support, and encourage continued research. This will help in the prevention and better management and care for premature birth, as well as for making treatments readily available to deal with the consequences and complications of preterm birth. Through the contributions of organisations and volunteers from all over the world, we can accelerate the development of therapeutic care to make preemies healthier and stronger in the future.
World Prematurity Day 2024 in India
Despite advancements in medical sciences, the mortality rate in India remains high, with approximately 1 out of 7 preterm babies facing a grim fate. This underscores the urgent need to increase awareness about the risks associated with premature birth in India. By shedding light on the perils of premature birth for infants, we can contribute to the creation of a healthcare environment that prioritises policies aimed at safeguarding the well-being of prematurely born children.
Celebrating World Prematurity Day 2024
Join us in celebrating World Prematurity Day 2024 on November 17. You can participate and support the cause in your own unique way. Consider organising an event or a march to raise awareness about the issue of prematurity, spearhead a fundraiser. You can also contribute by volunteering and donating to support the parents and families of preterm babies through reputable organisations, helping them navigate through these challenging times. If you have a personal story to share, don’t hesitate to do so within your community to enhance awareness about premature birth.
Wockhardt Hospitals is dedicated to providing exceptional clinical services to both prospective parents and parents of premature infants, guiding them through the entire process of pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. Our children are the future citizens of India, and nurturing them is our responsibility as a trusted medical care institution. On World Prematurity Day, let’s unite to amplify awareness of the pivotal role that medical care plays in ensuring successful gestation and providing expert healthcare support for mothers and babies at every stage of their lives.
