Theme: Give preterm babies a strong start for a hopeful future.
Today, 17 November 2025 , the University of Benin Teaching Hospital joins the global community to mark World Prematurity Day 2025, emphasizing the critical need for timely, specialised care for babies born before 37 weeks of gestation.
Prematurity remains a leading cause of neonatal illness and mortality worldwide, and many preterm babies face challenges requiring advanced medical attention in the first weeks and months of life. Access to specialised neonatal services plays an important role in improving survival outcomes and supporting healthy development.
At UBTH, the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) provides clinical support for preterm and medically vulnerable newborns through advanced monitoring, early intervention, respiratory support, nutritional management and coordinated multidisciplinary care. Families are also guided throughout the hospitalization period to aid bonding, promote breastfeeding and strengthen follow-up.
The theme for this year, “Give preterm babies a strong start for a hopeful future”, reinforces the responsibility of healthcare institutions and society to ensure early access to quality care, parental support and long-term developmental follow-up for every newborn.
UBTH remains committed to advancing neonatal care, strengthening clinical capacity, and improving outcomes for preterm babies across our region. On this World Prematurity Day 2025, we reaffirm our dedication to safeguarding the future of every child from the very first moments of life.
WorldPrematurityDay #WPD2025 #StrongStartHopefulFuture #SCBU #UBTHNeonatalCare #UBTHCARES
