C-Care Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maternal and child health services as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, commemorating World Prematurity Day under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”
The event, held at the C-Care Mother & Child Centre in Kampala, convened medical practitioners, parents, and media partners to honour the resilience of premature babies and to raise awareness about the urgent need for improved neonatal care across the country.
A key focus of the commemoration was the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which continues to serve as a critical lifeline for families with preterm infants.
Through direct investment in neonatal technology, staff training, and family-centred care, C-Care highlighted how corporate responsibility can translate into measurable community impact.
Dr. Miriam Musinga Mutero, General Manager at C-Care IHK, noted that prematurity affects entire households, not just newborns. “Prematurity is not merely a medical condition; it is a family journey. Our teams at the NICU walk alongside parents every day, combining skill with empathy to ensure each baby grows stronger, one breath at a time,” she said.
Echoing this, Dr. Sheba Nahurira, Head of the Pediatric Department, underscored the institution’s long-term commitment to equitable access. “Every newborn deserves a fair start. When a baby arrives too soon, every minute counts. Our NICU and Mother & Child Centre were designed to ensure that no baby’s chance at life is left to chance,” she said, emphasising that C-Care’s ongoing investments ensure quality care regardless of geography or circumstance.
Globally, the World Health Organisation reports that 15 million babies are born preterm each year, with nearly 1 million dying from related complications. This global burden, C-Care officials said, reinforces the need for continued awareness and community support systems.
Parents who have benefitted from the NICU shared emotional testimonies. Among them was Bakita Josephine, who credited the facility for saving her daughter’s life. “I was terrified and had lost hope. But the team at C-Care became our family and gave my baby a fighting chance. Today, she’s healthy and thriving,” she said.
Since 2017, C-Care Hospital has delivered care to more than 703 premature infants, a milestone that underscores the hospital’s expanding CSR role in addressing neonatal health challenges in Uganda.
C-Care pledged to continue championing awareness, early intervention, and compassionate care—reinforcing its vision of ensuring that every child, regardless of circumstance, has the chance to thrive.