Stepping in to support prem babies
JOBURG - Approximately 15 million babies are born prematurely every year, according to the World Health Organisation, and this number continues to rise.
Of these 15 million, an estimated one million babies die as a result of pre-term birth complications.
In recognition of this problem, 17 November was dedicated as World Prematurity Day with the aim of raising awareness of prematurity and the trials faced by pre-term babies and their families worldwide.
Happily, clothing company Keedo took up the challenge and expanded World Prematurity Day into Prematurity Week because three quarters of the million babies who die annually could be saved with current, affordable interventions, even where intensive care facilities are not available.
The clothing company joined forces with Marie Janse van Rensburg to create the Keedo Prem Project with the aim of alleviating some of the pressure families of pre-term babies face.
Janse van Rensburg lived through the ordeal when she gave birth prematurely to quadruplets in 2011. Her infants spent two months in a neonatal intensive care unit.
She also started a non-profit prematurity project called Pay It Forward, which aims to supply all government hospitals with prem nests. Pre-term babies are placed in the nests so that they feel as though they are still in the womb. This keeps their stress levels down and promotes normal development.
The Keedo Prem Project will raise awareness and support through the sale of ragdolls at MediClinic hospitals and Keedo stores nationwide. The funds raised will be used to support women and neonatal intensive care units that cannot afford to care for pre-term babies. The dolls’ clothing can also be used to clothe pre-term babies.
“During November, we would like to call on all who would like to, to donate anything that might help babies under the age of three months,” said Keedo founder Nelia Annandale.
Items most needed include premature and normal baby clothing, bottles, blankets, beanies and nappies.
“These donations can be delivered to your nearest Keedo store, and we will ensure all donations are delivered to the baby units at various hospitals throughout South Africa,” said Annandale.
Details about donations for the purchase of prem nests can be found on the Keedo facebook page.
