TBHI Introduces App to Support Premature Babies

By Halimat Isah

As parts of activities to mark the 2018 World Prematurity Day, a Non-Governmental Organization, Tiny Beating Hearts Initiative (TBHI) is set to unveil an App, as well as a short code that would help in educating and informing challenged parents on hospitals with neonatal services for their premature babies.

The Executive Director of TBHI, Mrs. Petra Akinti Onyegbule made this known in a Pre Media Press Conference on Tuesday in her office in Lokoja, ahead of the world prematurity day coming up on November 17, 2018.

Mrs. Onyegbule said her organization will begin the day with a walk in the morning to be followed by a one day seminar with the theme: “Partnering Together: Working with families in the care of Small and Sick Babies, at the Kogi State Government House in Glass House around 10 o'clock in the morning.

She said the effort was aimed at educating the public on how medical personnel, government and the general public could help families in caring for preemies and babies born with low birth weight.

The Executive Director of TBHI who lamented that a large number of preterm babies born in Nigeria don’t survive added that only a concerted effort from the government and all stakeholders would help in reducing prematurity and other related issues in the country.

Mrs. Akinti Onyegbule who is also the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bello, attributed lack of favorable environment and standard health equipment as factors responsible for high rate of neonatal deaths in Nigeria.

"TBHI since inception in 2015 has assisted in saving the lives of over 28 babies. Between May and November this year, nine babies have been assisted by TBHI in Kogi State alone. The death of premature babies is needless and can be prevented, if hospitals are adequately equipped," she added.

Mrs. Onyegbule appealed to Nigerians to join hands in the fight to reducing the scourge of premature babies, pointing out that it is a serious problem that requires the support of everyone as government can not do it all.

In her remarks, a Doctor and consultant with TBHI, Doctor Kelechi Okoro said the efforts of TBHI in awareness creation on prematurity and rendering support to parents with preterm babies was commendable.

Doctor Okoro while calling for adequate support and coverage of the activities outlined to commemorate the celebration, added that TBHI was self funded and has done a lot, ranging from advocacy visits to hospitals to supporting challenged parents with preterm babies, to the purchase of hospital equipments and awareness creation on the radio.