Awareness session on premature babies marks National Prematurity Day

The Department of Paediatrics at the Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, observed National Prematurity Day-2025 with an awareness programme organised at the paediatric OPD. The event was held under the leadership of Dr Puneet A Pooni, professor and head, Department of Paediatrics, and coordinated by Dr Kamal Arora, professor, Department of Pediatrics.

The programme aimed to educate the people about the essential care required for premature babies and to highlight the importance of early intervention, Kangaroo Mother Care and advanced medical support.

A special highlight of the programme was a play presented by BSc Nursing sixth semester students, who depicted the journey of a premature baby and the comprehensive care required within a hospital setting. Their demonstration showcased how premature infants were managed using advanced facilities such as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and specialised monitoring equipment that play a vital role in saving fragile newborn lives.

The event also included a poster competition on the theme of prematurity, featuring creative and informative entries by nursing students. The competition was judged by Suman Puri, professor and unit head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Gurvinder Kaur, professor and head, Department of Ophthalmology, and Nidhi Sagar, vice-principal, College of Nursing, DMCH. The winners were Smridhi Singh (1st prize), Tanveen (2nd prize) and Komalpreet and Navneet (3rd prize).

Premature babies, often referred to as “tiny fighters,” are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy and face unique challenges such as breathing difficulties due to underdeveloped lungs, temperature regulation problems, feeding issues and vulnerability to infections. They are also at risk of developmental delays in growth, vision and learning.

In India, nearly 12 per cent of births are preterm, making prematurity a significant public health concern. Advances in neonatal care now allow survival of babies born as early as 24-25 weeks, weighing less than 700 gm. Practices such as Kangaroo Mother Care, early medical intervention and specialised nutrition remain vital to ensuring survival and healthy development.

Dr GS Wander, principal, DMCH, appreciated the efforts of the department and emphasized that premature birth continued to be a major public health concern. He lauded the initiative for spreading awareness and educating families about the importance of specialised neonatal care.

Pooni said that National Prematurity Day served as a reminder that every premature baby was a fighter, and with timely care, community awareness and medical innovation, these fragile lives could grow into healthy futures.