Every year on November 17, the whole world celebrates World Prematurity Day, established by the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI). This event aims to draw attention to the issues of premature births, the care of premature infants, and the support of their families.
According to the Ministry of Health, more than 10,000 to 12,000 newborns in Kyrgyzstan are born prematurely each year. Their survival in the critical first days of life depends on highly qualified medical care and societal support. The most important conditions for the successful care of premature infants are creating an environment similar to the conditions in the womb and assisting in the development of immature bodily functions.
Since 2004, standards for the registration of newborns recommended by the World Health Organization have been implemented in the country, allowing all children to receive necessary medical care from the moment of their birth. Support is needed for both the children and their parents, for whom professional consultations and psychological support are important.
Sagyn Abduvalieva, head of the department of pathology of newborns and premature infants at the National Center for Maternal and Child Health, notes that modern technologies allow for the care of even those children whose birth weight is extremely low. She emphasizes that prematurity is not a death sentence but can be a unique beginning that, with proper support, will lead to positive outcomes.
In Kyrgyzstan, the Day of the Premature Child is being held for the tenth time at the National Center for Maternal and Child Health. This event invites children who were born prematurely and discharged from the department in the last 10 to 15 years. It is a special meeting for families where parents share their stories, and doctors can see the fruits of their labor.
According to global trends, the survival rate of premature infants is constantly increasing thanks to modern medical equipment and advanced technologies. Kyrgyzstan is also actively developing perinatal services, enhancing the qualifications of medical workers, and expanding access to high-tech care.
