Aobakwe Selebogo

Mamelodi Regional Hospital's Paediatric Medical Doctor, Puseletso Maseko says world prematurity day is an opportunity to call attention to the heavy burden of death and disability as well the pain and suffering that the preterm birth causes. 
Dr Maseko was addressing the hospital's lodger mothers during a recent prematurity day event, focusing on the impacts of premature births, how to care for a premature baby and also encouraging mothers of premature babies. 
According to Dr Maseko, 15 million babies are born prematurely, meaning 1 in 10 babies around the world are born prematurely further stating that  premature deaths account for a quarter of all neonatal deaths.
"Pre term birth is the leading cause of neonatal deaths but advances in neonatal care and treatments has greatly increased the chances of survival of even the smallest babies, said Dr Maseko.
He further emphasising that mothers should strictly adhere to the instructions given by the doctor once the baby is discharged and should not hesitate to ask for training on taking care of a premature before leaving the hospital.
"Practice kangaroo care by addressing your infant in a nappy and let him rest on your chest, this reduces the pain or the stress the child goes through and it promotes healthy weight gain, helps regulates the baby's heart rate and breathing, this also strengthens the bond between mother and baby and please understand when we are hard on you, and when we insist that you breast feed, it is only because we care and we want what is best for you and your baby," said Dr Maseko
Speaking on her experience on having her baby prematurely and being a lodger mother at Mamelodi Regional Hospital for 3 months, 29-year-old Anna Mojapelo says having a baby prematurely affected her mentally and physically.
"My son was born weighing 1.3 kg, and I heard him cry once, after that he was hooked to all types of machines as he was extremely sick, and I could not even pick him up, I was devastated, I felt powerless, I felt I had failed as a woman and as a mother because my mind was telling me that I failed to protect my child, so the only thing I did was cry day and night.  Had it not been for the support of the nurses and doctors I would have given up, said," Mojapelo.
Mojapelo said she is grateful for the support and motivation that she received from the nurses and doctors in the neonatal unit.
"When I got to neonatal ICU, the nurses were amazing, Dr Maharaj and Dr Puseletso Maseko went above and beyond, taking time to explain everything to me and answered all my questions. The neonatal team cared about my physical, mental and emotional wellbeing just as much as they cared about my son's wellbeing," said Mojapelo.