Our Internal Event 

Last week we celebrated World Prematurity Day 2024 with a special two-day event at Chiesi’s headquarters in Parma, which provided a unique opportunity for our colleagues to understand the challenges faced by preterm newborns. 

As part of the “Unscripted Beginnings: A Fragile Start, A Strong Future” campaign launched by the Chiesi Group to shed light on the difficulties and realities faced by preterm babies, their families, and healthcare professionals, we created an immersive experience that simulated the environment of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), allowing participants to feel what it’s like for a preterm baby. Additionally, through VR headsets, we offered a virtual tour of the Ngozi Regional Hospital in Burundi, one of our key sites where we work with local partners to improve neonatal care in sub-Saharan Africa. 

It was truly inspiring to see our colleagues engage with these experiences and gain a new perspective on the importance of our work and the huge obstacles that babies born in different parts of the world may have to face. 

Understanding Prematurity 

World Prematurity Day, observed on November 17th, is a global initiative to raise awareness about preterm birth and its impact on families worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020, with complications from preterm birth being the leading cause of death among children under five years of age. Preterm infants, born before 37 weeks of gestation, face numerous health challenges, including developmental disabilities and chronic conditions. 

The impact of prematurity is especially profound in the Global South, where healthcare resources are often limited. In many low- and middle-income countries, access to essential maternal and neonatal care is lacking, leading to higher rates of preterm birth and related complications. Challenges such as inadequate healthcare infrastructure, insufficient medical supplies, and a scarcity of trained healthcare professionals exacerbate the situation. This makes it difficult for preterm infants to receive the critical care they need, increasing the risk of severe health problems and mortality. 

Addressing these issues is a key focus of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2, which aims to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five by 2030, with a target to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births. Efforts to improve healthcare systems, increase access to quality care, and provide education and support to mothers in these regions are essential for achieving these goals and improving outcomes for preterm infants around the world. 

Our Mission 

Aligned with these global efforts, the Chiesi Foundation is dedicated to improving access to quality care for newborns, their mothers, and their families in the most vulnerable communities of Francophone sub-Saharan Africa. Through initiatives like the Neonatal Essential Survival Technology (NEST) project, we work tirelessly to bridge disparities in healthcare and ensure that every newborn has a chance to survive and thrive. 

The NEST (Neonatal Essential Survival Technology) project is a cornerstone of our efforts to reduce neonatal mortality rates. This long-term program aims to improve conditions for newborns, particularly those who are unwell, sick, premature, or low birth weight, in areas where access to quality care is limited. The NEST model involves implementing simple but well-prepared interventions that can save many lives. 

Ngozi Hospital and Our Work in Burundi 

The Ngozi Regional Hospital in Burundi is a critical site for our efforts. Burundi, located in the African Great Lakes region, faces significant healthcare challenges, with limited access to adequate care for most of its population. The Chiesi Foundation collaborates with Amahoro Pro Africa at the Ngozi Hospital to improve healthcare quality in the region. 

Our work includes the construction of the Mother and Child Hospital Center, equipping it with specialized medical equipment, and providing continuous training for local nursing staff. In 2017, we launched a project to create a unit dedicated to the integrated reception of mother and child and the promotion of the Kangaroo Care (KC) method, which involves skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and early discharge from the hospital to promote bonding between the mother and her baby and improve health outcomes. 

Thanks to all the attendees 

At the end of the guided experience, all participants were given a pencil containing a seed to plant, symbolizing every new unscripted beginning yet to be written. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the colleagues of Chiesi Group who participated in the World Prematurity Day event. Your engagement and support are crucial to our mission to improve neonatal care, reduce newborn mortality rates, and ensure a healthier future for all newborns.