70% OF BABY DEATHS AT UTH ARE PREMATURES

Seventy percent of babies that die in the UTH Women and Newborn Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are born prematurely.
National Coordinator for Neonatal Services Kunda Kapembwa says this is because of limited facilities to take care of the premature babies.
Dr. Kapembwa who is a Neonatologist says the Unit only has four incubators, which can not cater for all premature babies.
She was speaking at commemorations to mark World Prematurity Day, which falls on 17th November.
Dr. Kapembwa has also asked the hospital management to expand the Ward for premature babies, which she said is overcrowded.
And Women and Newborn Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent Maureen Chisembele said government has already identified and earmarked Ward B 21 for premature babies.
Dr. Chisembele explained that government has already bought incubators and that the ward for premature babies will soon be operational.
Zambia targets to reduce neonatal deaths from 24 per one thousand live births to 12 per one thousand live births by 2021.