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To her dismay, Sonam’s newborn suffered from issues arising from preterm birth including respiratory distress and suspected sepsis (extreme infection). He required specialised care in order to survive and that meant prolonged NICU care. But Sonam, who hails from rural Kanpur where her family does daily-wage labour work, had no way to foot the medical bills that were piling up on a day-to-day basis.
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Struck by the fear of losing her child, she had been preparing herself for the worse. But her baby eventually pulled through, and Sonam was able to take him home safe and sound.
“I was scared and filled with anxiety when I went into labour before I was due. Our little one was born premature through a C-section and suffered so many complications. We had no money to afford treatment for him and were terrified that we would lose him. We felt so helpless and hopeless. But the doctors and medical staff were a Godsend. Under their excellent care, our baby made a speedy recovery. Today, we are enjoying a blissful life with our child.” - Sonam
Image used for representation purposes onlySkyrocketing costs of NICU treatment for premature babies makes it inaccessible for rural families
Premature birth is one of the leading causes of infant mortality. Despite great advancements in neonatal care, preterm babies are often at risk of many health complications including breathing problems, feeding problems and problems with their immature brain, which can be life-threatening. As their health is so delicate, the survival of premature babies is dependent on the quality of treatment they receive in an NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).The premature birth of a baby can be a terrifying experience for any family, and the cost of necessary NICU treatment can be overwhelming. But for families living in rural areas, the high costs of NICU treatment are especially daunting, making it inaccessible to many parents - like Taufeek and Rukshana whose baby was born prematurely and spent 25 days, fighting for his life in the NICU. As a mere daily-wage labourer, Taufeek was at his wits’ end and didn’t know how he’d afford his baby’s treatment.
Image used for representation purposes only"We were overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty and exhaustion. We were desperate for a miracle for our child, but without the financial means to afford the treatment, we felt helpless. We prayed, we pleaded, and we hoped for the best. We had no idea if he would make it, or if our baby's life was going to be taken away from us. But by Allah’s grace, he soon got better. In the end, we had placed all our hopes and dreams in the hands of the medical professionals and we couldn’t be more grateful to them for saving him." - Taufeek, father to a premature baby
Image used for representation purposes onlyWith your help, prematurely born babies with poor parents can get the best possible start in life
Premature babies suffer from various complications that come with being born too early and while treatment is imperative for their survival, they often receive inadequate health care due to the financial limitations of their families. Funds stand between them and their healthy, bright futures. You can play a part in helping to ensure that all rural families have access to specialised care for their babies in their time of need. Your contributions can facilitate treatment before their survival is at stake.
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