Seychelles commemorates first World Prematurity Day |18 November 2022

Two proud mums whose babies ‘graduated’ yesterday in a souvenir photograph with the NICU team

• Graduation of ‘Tiny Preemies’

For the first time, the pediatric department of the Seychelles Hospital celebrated World Prematurity Day which fell yesterday, November 17.

On this occasion, the department also launched the Graduation Ceremony – ‘Tiny Preemies of NICU’.

The graduation was attended by several parents, nurses and doctors and all babies got a teddy as graduation gift.

According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 15 million babies are born too early every year. That is more than 1 in 10 babies. Approximately 1 million children die each year due to complications of preterm birth. Many surviving babies face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems.

In Seychelles, the acting nurse manager in charge of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Jacqueline Paulin, shared that in 2020 fifty-two (52) babies were admitted in the NICU and in 2021 there were 72.

“These are the babies who were admitted in NICU even though there are some babies who do not need NICU care even if they are born prematurely. In the NICU we have mainly babies who are born too early (below 32 weeks). Right now the NICU team is composed of 11 nurses but unfortunately one took her retirement and another expat nurse also is leaving due to end of contract. In NICU we need to be at all time alert and we need to have at least four more nurses. At the moment, the nurses are delivering to the best of their abilities.”

Ms Paulin shared that many premature babies ‘make it’ in Seychelles but unfortunately there is no statistics. But as of now the pediatric department will record all these data and make it part of the formal statistics.

Dr Juliette Rioux, a paediatrician, explained that they wanted to launch ‘Tiny Preemies of NICU’ in order to sensitise people about their services.

“This project will mainly take care of babies who are born at 32 weeks or under and also take care of their parents who go through a challenging time. We will encourage the parents to maintain a daily journal and the achievements for both babies and mum. When the baby overcomes all the health issues, then we have the graduation ceremony to encourage the parents.”

Dr Rioux also noted that during the first year the parents will be accompanied.

Since they started this graduation ceremony this year, they intend to do the same on November 17 of every year. Every time a child is discharged from the NICU, they do have a small ceremony but this event will allow parents to come together and share their successes.

What are the major causes of pre-mature birth in Seychelles? Dr Rioux explained that often times it might be the medical condition of the mother that provokes an early birth.

“There might also be complications with the baby, where the health of the baby is in danger and we do not have a choice and induce labour. When there is an infection or high blood pressure. Another reality in our country is baby born from parents who are on substance abuse. The babies are born small and the mothers also do not take care of the baby and abandon them.”

Dr Rioux shared that one of the premature babies who graduated yesterday stayed in the hospital for 75 days and the baby weighed only 700 grammes. “Both baby and mother went through a lot and that’s why we celebrated today. As of today we will celebrate all the babies who ‘made it’ and who strived to stay alive.”

Bettina Zatte’s baby was born at 30 weeks one day. “I never expected that to happen as my first child was born without issue. Complications developed in the last trimester and my baby was born weighing 1.098 kg and we had to stay at the NICU from April 20 to June 1. We had to spend 10 more days in the ward then got released. I was a little bit concerned but now happy to have my baby heathy and active by my side.”

Congratulations to all the babies and the mums who firmly believe in the beauty of life and made it.

Vidya Gappy

Photos: Joena Meme