As World Prematurity Day approaches, a beacon of hope for Nigeria's most vulnerable newborns is celebrating a significant milestone. The Babies Matter Medical Centre (BMMC) is marking two impactful years of providing premature and critically ill infants with a fighting chance at survival and a healthy future.
A Lifeline for the Tiniest Citizens
Since its establishment in November 2023, this specialized neonatal facility has successfully cared for over 120 premature babies. Their tiny patients have included infants born as early as 25 weeks gestation, some weighing a mere 520 grammes – a weight comparable to a small water bottle. These children are living proof of what expert medical intervention can achieve.
Dr Zainab Mudasiru, the Unit’s Clinical Lead and Co-founder, stressed the critical importance of immediate action. "At Babies Matter, every minute counts," she stated. "We have witnessed babies who were born too early, too sick, or too small defy the odds and go home, simply because they received the right care within the first two hours after birth."
The Critical Hour: Why Timely Referral is Everything
Dr Mudasiru emphasised that a timely referral within the first hour of delivery is paramount for the survival and long-term wellbeing of a premature baby. She explained that the ideal scenario involves the BMMC neonatal team being present at the delivery to take charge of the newborn from its very first breath.
"Delays in accessing proper neonatal support often lead to devastating complications, lifelong disabilities, or even death," Dr Mudasiru warned. "These are tragic outcomes that can frequently be prevented with swift and decisive action."
Echoing this sentiment, co-founder Dr Efunbo Dosekun highlighted the power of collaboration. "Premature babies deserve a fair start at life. By ensuring that these fragile newborns reach the right facility immediately after birth, and through strong collaboration among hospitals, IVF clinics, and surrogacy agencies, we can give every tiny life the best possible chance to thrive," Dr Dosekun said.
The Data: A Profile of High-Risk Care
An internal review of cases handled between November 2023 and September 2025 provides a clear snapshot of the centre's specialized focus and growing impact on infant survival in Lagos and surrounding regions.
The data reveals the facility's dedication to the most critical cases:
- Extremely preterm babies (under 28 weeks): 31.5%
- Very preterm babies (28–32 weeks): 33.8%
- Moderate to late preterm babies (32–37 weeks): 27.6%
- Term babies (37 weeks and above): 6.9%
This breakdown shows that a staggering more than 93% of all infants treated at BMMC were born preterm. The birth weight distribution further underscores their expertise:
- Babies under 1.0 kg: 26.9%
- Babies 1.0–1.49 kg: 15.4%
- Babies 1.5–2.49 kg: 19.9%
- Babies 2.5 kg and above: 8.8%
These figures highlight the centre's crucial role in managing extremely low birth weight infants, a category with one of the highest mortality risks worldwide.
As the world gets ready to commemorate World Prematurity Day on November 17, the Babies Matter Medical Centre has reaffirmed its core mission: to save the most vulnerable lives, one baby at a time. The centre pledges to continue championing early neonatal intervention, capacity building, and stronger collaboration within Nigeria's broader maternal and child health ecosystem.
