Follow Us on Google
By Doris Obinna
Ahead of World Prematurity Day – commemorated on 17 November annually – a Lagos-based neonatal hospital, Babies Matter Medical Centre (BMMC), says it has recorded 120 successful premature survivors, as it marks two years of giving premature and critically ill newborns a fighting chance at life and a cause to live.
Speaking with the Unit’s Clinical Lead and Co-founder, Dr. Zainab Mudasiru, said that since its inception in November 2023, the specialised neonatal facility has successfully cared for premature babies, including those born as early as 25 weeks gestation and weighing as little as 520 grammes – barely the size of a small water bottle.
According to her, the ‘tiny survivors’ stand as living proof of what expert intervention, timely referral, and advanced neonatal care can achieve. Dr. Mudasiru said, “At Babies Matter, every minute counts. We have seen babies born too early, too sick or too small, go home simply because they received the right care within the first two hours after birth.”
Explaining how early referral saves lives, the Co-founder emphasised that timely referral within an hour of delivery is crucial for the survival and long-term health of premature babies. “Preferably our neonatal team should be present at the delivery so they can take charge of the baby from the time they are born. Delays in accessing proper neonatal support often lead to complications, disabilities, or death – outcomes that can be prevented with swift action,” she said.
“In light of this, Babies Matter Medical Centre is calling on obstetricians, IVF clinics, surrogacy agencies, and maternity hospitals to establish early referral pathways for high-risk or preterm deliveries,” she admonished.
Co-founder of BMMC, Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, maintained that by ensuring fragile newborns reach the right facility immediately after birth, healthcare providers can significantly increase their chances of survival and healthy development. “Premature babies deserve a fair start at life. With timely intervention and collaboration among hospitals, IVF clinics and surrogacy agencies, we can give every tiny life the best possible chance to thrive,” Dosekun assured.
On its impact to humanity in two years, Dosekun affirmed that an internal review of neonatal cases between November 2023 and September 2025 underscores the facility’s growing impact on premature infant survival in Lagos and beyond.
Other News
She elucidated further that the extremely preterms (<28 weeks) accounted for 31.5 per cent; very preterm (28–32 weeks) 33.8 per cent; moderate to late preterm (32–37 weeks) 27.6 per cent, while term babies (≥37 weeks) were 6.9 per cent of the babies taken care of.
This key insight she stressed reflected that more than 93 per cent of all babies treated were born preterm (under 37 weeks) — reflecting the hospital’s strong focus on high-risk neonatal cases.
Regarding the birth weight distribution, the medical expert added that babies <1.0 kg accounted for 26.9 per cent; 1.0–1.49 kg, 15.4 per cent; 1.5–2.49 kg, 19.9 per cent and ≥2.5 kg, 8.8 per cent.
“The figures highlight the growing challenge of premature deliveries, and demonstrates the BMMC’s expertise in managing extremely low birth weight infants — a category with one of the highest risks of mortality globally.”
Looking ahead, she assured that as World Prematurity Day approaches, Babies Matter Medical Centre would not lose sight of saving the most vulnerable lives — focused on one baby at a time.
“We shall continue to champion early neonatal intervention, capacity building, and stronger collaboration within Nigeria’s maternal and child health ecosystem. We are a specialised neonatal intensive care facility in Lagos, Nigeria, dedicated to providing advanced care for premature and critically ill newborns. We partner with maternity hospitals, fertility clinics, and healthcare providers to ensure that every baby — no matter how small — receives a fair start at life,” she avowed.
