The Burkinabè Society of Pediatrics (SOBUPED) has launched a call to reinforce the care and follow-up of premature babies on World Prematurity Day, celebrated on November 15, 2026, under the theme "Small babies, great potential: invest in their follow-up to protect their future!" According to SOBUPED, approximately one in ten babies is born prematurely worldwide, which means before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Premature babies face significant risks, including respiratory difficulties, infections, and various complications that can threaten their survival and development. In Burkina Faso, prematurity remains a significant public health challenge requiring collective mobilization. The SOBUPED emphasizes that being born prematurely should not condemn a child to premature death or compromise their development prospects.
The SOBUPED has appealed to pregnant women and families to prioritize regular pregnancy monitoring, assisted delivery by qualified personnel, breastfeeding, and kangaroo mother care based on skin-to-skin contact. The society stresses that the presence and affection of parents are essential to the health of their child.
The pediatric society has also urged healthcare professionals to improve the quality of care from birth, promote proven life-saving interventions, and ensure regular monitoring of premature babies' growth, development, and health, even after hospital discharge. This includes providing appropriate equipment, training personnel, and establishing neonatal units and follow-up systems for at-risk newborns.
The SOBUPED has reaffirmed its commitment to working with families, healthcare professionals, and public authorities to reduce preventable deaths and improve newborn health in Burkina Faso. The society's president, Pr Fla KOUETA, has emphasized that premature babies need not only to survive but also to grow, develop, and build their future.
World Prematurity Day serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in premature babies' care and follow-up to ensure they have an equal chance of living, growing, and thriving. The SOBUPED's appeal highlights the need for collective action to address the challenges of prematurity in Burkina Faso and provide the best possible outcomes for premature babies.
Key stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, authorities, and families, must work together to implement the SOBUPED's recommendations and make a positive impact on the lives of premature babies in Burkina Faso. By doing so, they can help ensure that these vulnerable newborns receive the care and support they need to thrive.
Key points
- The Burkinabè Society of Pediatrics (SOBUPED) has called for improved care and follow-up of premature babies to reduce preventable deaths and improve newborn health in Burkina Faso.
