Improved neonatal care will reduce premature baby deaths, say health experts
“We have at least 226,000 babies born premature every year,” said Mirembe, warning that 6% of them do not make it to their fifth birthday.
Dr Mirembe Immaculate, a pediatrician and representative of the Uganda Pediatric Association (UPA), parents and children commemorating World Prematurity Day in Kampala. (Photos by Aloysious Kasoma)
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Health sector stakeholders have been urged to strongly act on improving neonatal care, reducing preterm deaths and supporting families raising premature babies.
“As a doctor who has managed very small babies, I know exactly what it takes to see your child smile or run on the bouncing castle,” Dr Mirembe Immaculate, a paediatrician, says.
Mirembe, who was representing the Uganda Paediatric Association (UPA) at the World Prematurity Day celebrations at C-Care Mother & Child Centre in Namuwongo, Kampala, on November 13, 2025, delivered an emotional message to parents of premature babies, praising their strength and reaffirming the association’s commitment to improving newborn care.
She spoke openly about the emotional toll borne by paediatricians: We as doctors who treat children feel a lot of pain when our babies don’t make it. People think we are disconnected or strong; we are not. We feel with you.
“We work closely with the Ministry of Health, and our end goal is to see our babies becoming better every day,” she said.
Mirembe congratulated mothers present at the event, acknowledging the challenges they face in caring for preterm infants.
Sharing a personal story of a preterm baby she once treated, she described the long medical journey the family endured, ultimately concluding, “I respect mothers of preterm babies. They are heroes.”
Mirembe also lauded fathers who support their partners, noting that they, too, play a critical role in the survival and well-being of premature infants.
C-Care doctors and parents raising premature children commemorating World Premature Day at C-Care Mother & Child Centre in Namuwongo, Kampala.
Turning to national data, she expressed concern about Uganda’s high burden of prematurity.
“We have at least 226,000 babies born premature every year,” she said, warning that 6% of them do not make it to their fifth birthday.
The doctor also called for stronger parent support groups, emphasising the role of emotional support alongside medical care.
“Discharge [from hospital] is just the beginning,” she noted, urging families to share their experiences to inspire and guide others.
Accelerated national efforts
UPA President Dr Anne Akullo echoed these concerns, calling for accelerated national efforts to reduce preterm deaths.
She highlighted Uganda’s progress in reducing newborn mortality from 27 to 22 deaths per 1,000 live births over the past eight years, but stressed that the country remains far from the WHO target of 12.
“Prematurity is now the third leading cause of neonatal deaths,” Akullo said, calling for improved infrastructure, stronger health worker training, and increased investment in newborn care.
Regional disparities
Dr Ronald Kyambadde of the C-Care NICU warned of significant regional disparities, noting that the highest rates of premature births occur in the regions of West Nile, northern, eastern, and Karamoja, areas characterised by limited antenatal care and high adolescent pregnancy rates.
“The central region has significantly fewer cases,” he said.
“We want to push neonatal mortality down to at least 10 deaths per 1,000 live births.”
As Uganda continues to grapple with the burden of prematurity, this year’s commemoration underscored a shared commitment among health professionals, families, and partners to ensure healthier beginnings—and more hopeful futures—for the country’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.
C-Care Uganda joined the global community in commemorating World Prematurity Day under the theme: Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.
According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year worldwide, with complications from prematurity accounting for nearly 1 million deaths annually. This statistic underscores the urgent need for enhanced neonatal care and support systems.