Forty-Four children who were born prematurely were recognized by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) yesterday, November 17th, 2019 for having survived the worse and are now thriving at home with their parents.
The recognition ceremony formed part of the unit’s activities to commemorate world prematurity day and saw each child being given a certificate of recognition. The ceremony which took the form of a graduation saw one year old Kyrell Soleyn, being named valedictorian. Soleyn was born at twenty-eight weeks and weighed 831grams. He is the smallest baby to be born here in the last five years.
Her Excellency Governor General Mrs Susan Dougan and Pediatrician Dr. Bharatti Datta were among those in attendance which included several doctors and nurses in neonatal care, and visiting representatives from the World Pediatric Project (WPP).
Mr Robert Fleming delivering the feature address
The feature address was delivered by Dr Robert Flemming of the WPP. Dr Flemming emphasize that premature deliveries are not automatic death sentences and that the correct care can produce healthy babies. Dr Flemming said he was impressed with the facilities for Neonatal Care at the MCMH and that the hospital possessed the capacity to provide as good a service as anywhere else in the world.
The ceremony was held under the theme: Celebrating the gift of life: Little feet, big fighters.