Southern DHB raising awareness on World Prematurity Day

Southern DHB staff raising awareness on World Prematurity Day

Staff from Dunedin Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will be raising awareness on World Prematurity day on Monday 17 November.

Worldwide 1 baby in 10 babies is born prematurely and in New Zealand over 5000 babies is born prematurely every year, meaning that around 8% of all births are premature.

The month of November is designated as International World Prematurity Month and on November 17th, countries across the globe will mark this special day to increase awareness of prematurity and the problems that can be associated with it.

In Dunedin, Annie Marshall, Registered Nurse at Dunedin Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Chairperson of Neonatal Nurses College Aotearoa (NNCA), has organised a display in the foyer of the hospital to raise awareness and share some amazing stories of Dunedin families and their little heroes.

‘Tiny Socks, Big Dreams’ will be displayed in the Dunedin Hospital Foyer on 17 November with a lunchtime display and demonstration of some of the expert technology involved in caring for pre-term infants. Members of the public, staff and patients are invited to come along and take a look.

As well as the ‘Tiny Socks, Big Dreams’ display, the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum will be illuminated purple to recognise the day. Over the last few years during the month of November, landmarks and buildings across the world have been lit in purple to honour preterm babies and their parents including the Empire State Building and many more famous buildings, landmarks and monuments.

“As a nurse in the NICU at Dunedin Hospital this event is close to my heart and I thought that we could do something different here in Dunedin to support the day by lighting up an iconic building. We’re grateful for the support of Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and I hope that this will help to spread message across the city about World Prematurity day,” said Annie.

Jan Seuseu, Charge Nurse Manager of NICU said that “As the rate of preterm births increase worldwide it is timely that we stop and think of all the preterm babies who have lost their fight for life. On this day we also we raise awareness of the issues that the vulnerable preterm infants and families in our care, face as they make their way in society. World prematurity day is also a day to celebrate the adversities overcome by these babies and families and thank the neonatal team who provide the outstanding care for these babies.”

“Dunedin Hospital also opened our new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit this year so it will also be an opportunity for Dunedin to celebrate our state of the art environment for caring for premature babies,” she said.

Families and staff in NICU will also be treated to a morning tea organised by the Neonatal Trust.

This year marks the fourth year for worldwide prematurity day, and the first time New Zealand will be joining in the global celebrations. Much of the efforts, awareness activities and the inaugural fundraising campaign “Small Change Big Difference”are being run by The Neonatal Trust volunteers.

World Prematurity Day - 17 November (information provided by the Neonatal Trust)

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