The Babies Matter Medical Centre (BMMC) in Lagos has called on obstetricians and maternity hospitals to establish early referral pathways to ensure better outcomes for high-risk and preterm deliveries.
Dr. Zainab Mudasiru, Co-Founder of BMMC, made the call in a statement on Monday ahead of World Premature Day, commemorated annually on November 17.
She emphasized that timely referral within an hour of delivery is critical for the survival and long-term health of premature babies.
“Delays in accessing proper neonatal support often lead to complications, disabilities, or death—outcomes that can be prevented with swift action,” Dr. Mudasiru said.
“Obstetricians, IVF clinics, surrogacy agencies, and maternity hospitals should establish early referral systems, and ideally, our neonatal team should be present during delivery.”
Since starting operations in November 2023, BMMC has successfully cared for over 120 premature babies. The UK-trained neonatologist explained that the facility specializes in neonatal intensive care, providing advanced treatment for premature and critically ill newborns.
“We have cared for babies born as early as 25 weeks gestation, weighing as little as 520 grams—barely the size of a small water bottle,” she said.
“At Babies Matter, every minute counts. Babies born too early, too sick, or too small can survive simply because they receive the right care within the first two hours after birth. These tiny survivors are living proof of what expert intervention, timely referral, and advanced neonatal care can achieve.”
Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, co-founder of BMMC, stressed that ensuring fragile newborns reach the right facility immediately after birth significantly increases their chances of survival and healthy development.
“Premature babies deserve a fair start at life. With timely intervention and collaboration among hospitals, IVF clinics, and surrogacy agencies, we can give every tiny life the best possible chance to thrive,” she said.
She highlighted an internal review of neonatal cases from November 2023 to September 2025, noting the facility’s growing impact on premature infant survival in Lagos and beyond. According to the review:
- Extreme preterms (under 28 weeks) accounted for 31.5%
- Very preterms (28–32 weeks) accounted for 33.8%
- Moderate to late preterms (32–37 weeks) accounted for 27.6%
Dr. Dosekun added that preterm babies born before 37 weeks represented 6.9% of all babies cared for, reflecting BMMC’s focus on high-risk neonatal cases.
She reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to champion early neonatal intervention, capacity building, and stronger collaboration within Nigeria’s maternal and child health ecosystem.
