RANGPUR, Nov 19, 2019 (BSS) – Health experts at a roundtable discussion
have stressed ensuring necessary health care of infants born preterm to
reduce neonatal deaths for attaining the sustainable development goals.
They came up with the opinion at the discussion arranged at Rangpur Medical
College Hospital (RMCH) auditorium with UNICEF assistance in observance of
the World Prematurity Day-2019 on Monday afternoon.
The day was observed with the theme of “Born too soon: Providing the right
care, at the right time, at the right place.”
Presided over by Director of RMCH Dr. Md. Faridul Islam, health experts
including pediatrics from different public and private hospitals of Rangpur
attended the discussion.
UNICEF Chief of field office for Rangpur and Rajshahi Divisions Najibullah
Hameem and Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Mostofa Khaled Ahmed addressed
the event as invited guests.
Junior Consultant (Pediatrics) of RMCH Dr. Monica Majumder presented
keynote essay focusing on preventing premature delivery related complications
by ensuring care during pregnancy, childbirth and temperature maintenance of
preterm infants through Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), infection prevention and
control.
An estimated 15 million infants are born preterm worldwide annually and one
million of them die before completion of five years as incidents of preterm
birth is increasing globally.
“Before completion of five years, over 23,000 children die of preterm birth
complications in Bangladesh annually,” she added.
Dr. Faridul Islam put emphasizes on integrating care of premature babies in
the curriculum of service providers, including midwives, nurses and doctors.
He stressed ensuring quality and regular care, check-ups and relevant
interventions, including corticosteroid injections at least 48 hours before
inducing delivery, to reduce side effects of premature birth.
Chief Health Officer of Rangpur City Corporation Dr. Kamruzzaman Ibne Taz
stressed screening of premature babies and referral unstable ones.
Dr. Mostafa said prematurity does not only bring sufferings to parents and
family members, but also reduces productivity in the nation, due to
investment of huge resources and time.
Divisional Director of the Department of Family Planning Dr. Delwar Hossain
said fostering antenatal care and promoting institutional delivery are of
essence to reduce premature birth and its subsequent consequences.
Najibullah emphasized knowing causes of premature births for preventing it
and totally stopping child marriage which leads to early pregnancy.
Moderated by UNICEF Health Officer Dr. Nazmun Nahar, Civil Surgeon Dr.
Hirombo Kumar Roy, Head of the Department of Pediatrics of Prime Medical
College Dr. Chanchal Mondal, Consultants of Department of Pediatrics of RMCH
Dr. Rawshan Ara and Dr. Zahidur Rahman addressed the event.