Dr. Zainab Mudasiru, Co-founder and Clinical Lead of Babies Matter Medical Centre (BMMC), has stressed the importance of timely intervention and specialized neonatal care in improving survival rates among premature babies.
Mudasiru stated this in an interview with journalists on Monday in Lagos, noting that early specialist involvement and collaboration among healthcare providers remain critical to saving newborns delivered before 37 weeks of gestation.
She explained that the first 60 minutes after birth, known as the “golden hour,” often determines whether a premature baby survives or not.
“For the best outcomes, especially for extremely premature babies, the neonatal team should be present from the time the baby is born.
What is done in that first hour could determine life or death, and even the quality of life the baby will have,” she said.
Citing an example, the neonatologist recounted how a timely response saved the life of a 25-week-old baby.
“We’re based in Lekki, and the baby was born in Ikeja. The hospital did the right thing by bringing the baby to us on time. That same baby has gone home and is doing fine,” she said.
She urged hospitals and obstetricians to communicate early with neonatal specialists whenever premature delivery is anticipated.
Mudasiru, who trained in the United Kingdom, said BMMC’s approach to neonatal care is built on advanced technology, adequate staffing, and continuous professional training.
Speaking on the emotional challenges of neonatal care, she acknowledged the psychological strain faced by parents of premature babies.
“I tell parents of babies born before 30 weeks that it’s going to be a rollercoaster journey. Some of these babies stay in the hospital for over three and a half months, which is both demanding and emotionally challenging for parents and caregivers,” she said.
On World Prematurity Day, celebrated annually on November 19, Mudasiru noted that about one in every ten babies is born prematurely, with prevalence rates even higher in Africa.
She called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance neonatal care and improve survival outcomes for premature infants nationwide.
