New ward announced on World Prematurity Day
The city’s first ward allowing parents to stay with their newborn babies will be launched at Shanghai Children’s Medical Center next year. Families with premature babies will be the biggest beneficiaries, the hospital said on Sunday, World Prematurity Day.
There are 15 million premature babies delivered in the world annually, about 1.2 million in China. Many of them have to stay in hospital for weeks or even months, separated from their anxious parents.
The new ward will be able to allow parents to stay with babies and care for them.
According to World Health Organization, premature birth is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five. Babies born too early may also face long-term health problems.
“About one fourth of children in our department are premature babies and half are less than 1,000 grams,” said Dr Bu Jun from the center’s neonatology department. “Over 80 percent of babies with extremely low weigh survive nowadays.”
He said medical treatment is only the first step, as there are many long-term challenges and problems and a better system must evolve to provide support and help to children and families.
World Prematurity Day was set up to raise awareness of the issues associated with preterm birth. It also spreads information about how to help and support affected families. In addition to the specific health and developmental requirements of preemies, the parents and family members also need emotional and psychological guidance, doctors said.
Dr Bu Jun (left) at Shanghai Children's Medical Center's neonatology department is caring for a premature baby.
