Event details
- Date: Monday, November 17, 2025
- Time: 09:00 – 13:00
- Venue: YGOPH – Neonatology & Kangaroo Mother Care unit, Ngousso
- Cost: Free
- For: Parents of premature babies, pregnant women, health professionals
- Status: Completed
Quick contact
Event overview:
Across the world, about one baby in ten is born too soon, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Complications of preterm birth are among the leading causes of newborn death in Cameroon, yet many premature babies survive and thrive with simple, well-organised care.
At YGOPH, premature and low-birth-weight babies are cared for in our neonatal unit and, since January 2017, in our kangaroo mother care unit, where babies are held skin to skin against their mother’s or father’s chest to stay warm, breathe regularly and feed better. Kangaroo care has also lowered the cost of care for families and shortened hospital stays.
On 17 November 2025, World Prematurity Day, we celebrated these tiny fighters and the families who stand beside them. Parents, staff and families of former patients came together, many dressed in purple, the colour of the day, to share their experiences and to learn how to prevent preterm birth and care for premature babies at home.
Highlights
Kangaroo care demonstrations
Nurses showed parents how to hold their baby skin to skin safely.
Families together
Parents of children born prematurely came back to share their journey.
Prevention talks
Advice for pregnant women on antenatal care and the warning signs of early labour.
Honouring our team
Recognition of the nurses and doctors who care for premature babies day and night.
Programme
- 09:00 – Welcome of families: Parents, babies and families of former patients welcomed by the neonatology team.
- 09:30 – Preventing preterm birth: Antenatal care, danger signs and when to come to hospital.
- 10:15 – Kangaroo care in practice: Demonstration and questions with the kangaroo mother care nurses.
- 11:00 – Parents share their stories: Families described their journey from the neonatal unit to home.
- 12:00 – Purple celebration: Group photo and light refreshments for families and staff.
Who should attend?
- Parents of babies in our neonatal and kangaroo care units
- Families of children born prematurely at YGOPH
- Pregnant women, especially those with a high-risk pregnancy
- Nurses, midwives and doctors interested in newborn care
Practical information
- Venue: Neonatology & Kangaroo Mother Care unit, YGOPH, Ngousso.
- When: Monday 17 November 2025, 09:00 – 13:00.
- Cost: Free.
- Register: Families were invited by the neonatology team. Information: (+237) 670 607 278.
What was achieved
The day was a moment of joy and gratitude, as families saw how far their children had come. It reminded expectant mothers of the importance of antenatal care and of coming to hospital quickly when danger signs appear, and gave new parents practical confidence in caring for their premature babies at home.
Questions & answers
What is kangaroo mother care?
It is a method in which a premature or low-birth-weight baby is held skin to skin against a parent’s chest for many hours a day. It keeps the baby warm, supports breathing and breastfeeding, and often allows an earlier discharge.
Is there follow-up after my premature baby leaves hospital?
Yes. Our clinic for premature and low-birth-weight babies runs on Wednesdays and Fridays, with weighing sessions on Tuesday and Friday mornings.