Česky
The main organizer of the celebration is the Nedoklubko parent organization. "The aim of this year's World Day is mainly to raise awareness of the issue of premature birth and the field of neonatology and to research the causes and prevention of premature birth," says Lucie Žáčková, executive director of Nedoklubko, adding: "We want to thank doctors and nurses across the country for their care of premature and sick babies."
Prominent buildings around the world turn purple on 16 November to draw attention to the issue of premature birth. It is also an expression of thanks to the health professionals caring for premature and sick babies.
This year in the Czech Republic, the organisers have managed to light up at least one building in every city where there is a hospital or facility caring for premature babies. For the first time this year, our hospital joined the purple lighting of a building.
"Since 2014, Hořovice Hospital has been proud of its status as a Perinatology Intermediate Care Centre, which provides care for women with at-risk pregnancies and provides for children born from the 30th week of pregnancy. In the same year, a brand new neonatal intensive care unit was opened with 10 intensive care beds and 5 rooming-in beds. Each year, 180-200 premature babies are cared for in this ward and several dozen more sick newborns. We try to involve parents as early as possible in the care of their sick or premature baby. Both parents have completely unrestricted access to their baby even during this challenging period. The entire ward is not only equipped with top medical equipment, but it is also visually designed so that the environment resembles a home as much as possible, not a hospital," says the head of the neonatal ward , MUDr. Milena Dokoupilová.
And why is purple the colour of premature babies? The purple heart is a globally perceived symbol and appreciation for the wounds of battle. Originally awarded to soldiers, in recent years the idea has been adopted by parents of premature babies around the world. Purple is the color of royalty - the color of kings and queens and all premature babies.
