KAMPALA, Uganda — C-Care Uganda celebrated World Prematurity Day 2025 by honoring babies born prematurely and recognizing the tireless efforts of healthcare workers and families who support them.
The event, themed “Give Preterm Babies a Stronger Start for a Brighter Future,” brought together mothers, children and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff for a day of celebration and advocacy.
Dr. Miriam Mutero, general manager of C-Care, set the tone for the day by highlighting the resilience of the children.
“We’re here because of you. We’re here because of your fighting spirit,” Mutero told the children. She stressed the importance of acknowledging the courage of preterm babies and the collective effort to save them.
Mutero also praised the medical teams for their dedication. “I want to thank the pediatricians, our aspiring neonatologists, the nurses, and all doctors who work with the children,” she said, recognizing the collaborative effort required for their care.
She thanked the mothers directly for their perseverance. “To the mothers, thank you for staying strong, for fighting for your children, and for enduring the difficulties.” Mutero promised to continue supporting every baby in the NICU.
Dr. Immaculate Mirembe delivered a message on behalf of Uganda Pediatric Association President Dr. Anne Akuro, emphasizing the national challenge of preterm births.
Mirembe shared alarming statistics, revealing that about 226,000 babies are born prematurely in Uganda every year. She noted that prematurity is the third leading cause of death after birth asphyxia and sepsis, and the leading cause of disability among survivors, including visual, hearing and neurological impairments.
“Parents of preterm babies truly understand the immense challenge of nurturing these children,” Mirembe said, urging collective action to address the rising burden of preterm births.
Dr. Ronald Kyambadde, a pediatrician at C-Care, told parents that their “love is the first medicine to your babies,” underscoring the critical role of nurturing care.
He also celebrated the determination of the babies. “These babies may be tiny, but their hearts are those of warriors,” Kyambadde said. He stressed that survival depends on teamwork across the entire unit, including nurses, pediatricians, midwives, breast milk donors and committed parents.
Kyambadde inspired parents by referencing famous preterm babies. “Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, and Stevie Wonder were all born preterm,” he said, illustrating that strong beginnings can lead to extraordinary futures.
The celebration concluded with games and activities for the children, including bouncing castles and face painting, giving families a chance to enjoy the day.
With one in 10 babies born prematurely in Uganda and 12,500 preterm deaths occurring before age 5 annually, C-Care’s event served as both a celebration of life and a call to strengthen neonatal care across the country.
