At least 70 babies are born prematurely in Nakuru every month. This is according to PGH Medical Superintendent Dr James Waweru.

Dr Waweru revealed the statistics during the launch of a new maternity wing called the Kangaroo Mother Care Unit.

"Out of the 1000 births that the wing records in a month, 70 are premature. It was with these figures in mind that we decided to introduce the Kangaroo Mother Unit to relieve the pressure on the neonatal unit, which currently accommodates 70 babies instead of the planned 50. The new unit will also help promote parent-baby bonding through skin-to-skin contact between the premature babies and their parents," Dr Waweru said.

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Dr Waweru also cited fatigue among health workers at the hospital, especially in the mother-baby unit, as a result of staff shortages at the hospital.

The launch of the new maternity wing coincided with World Prematurity Day, which was commemorated with a march through the CBD, culminating at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital just outside the Margaret Kenyatta Maternity Wing.

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The aim was to raise awareness about premature births. The event was attended by Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones.

Nakuru deputy governor David Kones touring the various units at Margaret Kenyatta maternity wing.

Photo credit: Diligence Odongo

Lucy Wanjiru Njuguna, who attended the event, is a mother who gave birth to a premature baby in 2019.

Like most pre-term babies who usually suffer from various health challenges, her baby had lung problems and raising money for treatment was a challenge. On top of that, it was heartbreaking to see her little boy with so many tubes and machines to help him breathe.

"However, I am glad that I gave birth in a hospital, which is something I am very much in favour of at the moment. Here at the hospital, although it's expensive, my son got all the care and attention he needed and that's why he's alive today".

Also Read: Health on Trial: Can Margaret Kenyatta maternity wing handle premature babies?

Also present at the event was Chief Officer for Public Health Alice Abuki and Chief Director of Medical Services Dr Daniel Wainaina.

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Premature births still a major concern in Nakuru

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Diligence Odongo