Story by Sherine Atieno and Photos by Ian Obadha
“Give preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future.” This global theme drove celebrations of the world prematurity day 2025 in Kisumu held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
Kenya’s neonatal mortality rate stands at 21 per 1,000 live births, with 37 percent of these deaths resulting from prematurity. Weekly reports across facilities show avoidable losses; five fresh stillbirths, five macerated stillbirths, and about seven early neonatal deaths. Causes of preterm births include poor maternal nutrition, teenage and advanced maternal age, untreated infections, diabetes, hypertension, and prior preterm deliveries.
Dr. Elizabeth Kuta, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu, emphasized lifesaving interventions for every preterm newborn, from proper antenatal care, antenatal corticosteroids, delayed cord clamping, warm delivery environments, to immediate skin-to-skin contact through Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). For babies needing advanced support, she noted stabilization with fluids, ventilation, dextrose, and surfactants. She commended JOOTRH’s investment in expanding its KMC unit and equipping it with monitors and supportive devices, urging stakeholders to continue strengthening maternal and newborn systems.
Chief Guest, County Director of Public Health and Sanitation Mr. Frederick Oluoch, reiterated the county’s commitment to reversing these trends, highlighting strategies such as staffing newborn units at Lumumba, establishing two newborn intensive care units at JOOTRH and KCRH, operationalizing the unit at Kombewa, expanding services to Seme and Kisumu West, increasing CPAP machines, procuring ventilators, ensuring a consistent supply of surfactants and parenteral nutrition, and strengthening essential newborn commodities. He called on healthcare workers to optimize resources, ensure early antenatal care, mandatory ultrasounds, IFAS supplementation, and maternal complication screenings.
An emotional highlight came from a mother of preterm triplets born ten years ago at JOOTRH. She recalled the fragile early days in the Newborn Unit and the round-the-clock support from dedicated healthcare workers. Today, her children are healthy, active, and performing exceptionally well in school. Other mothers shared similar journeys of fear, hope, and relief as their babies grew stronger. The hospital celebrated these mothers with gifts for their little ones, honouring their resilience.
Bosire Domnic, Child Health Coordinator for Kisumu Central Sub County, noted significant progress in Kisumu over the past year, including adequate stock of caffeine citrate, more CPAP machines, and improved essential supplies. Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Muchela reflected on last year’s commitments, appreciating the strengthened workforce, better-equipped units, and stronger systems at JOOTRH, attributing these gains to the support of hospital management and partners prioritizing preterm care.
The celebration brought together county and subcounty management teams, healthcare workers, partners, and medical students, all united by a shared mission: giving the tiniest babies the best start in life. The event closed with a cake-cutting, symbolizing unity and renewed determination to safeguard these little lives.
