Česky
The number of premature births declined slightly last year, but it cannot be said that the difficulty of caring for them has decreased. In fact, the last two years have also been marked by coronavirus for neonatal units. "We have to protect ourselves, our medical staff and, of course, the parents. But fortunately, the more we know about the virus, the better we are able not only to protect everyone, but we also know what risks are associated, for example, with the reception of infected mothers. The virus itself may be one of the causes of premature birth, but follow-up care is also important to ensure that the mother recovers quickly and that she has contact with her baby. Fortunately, newborns are not a significantly at risk group," says Milena Dokoupilová, head of the neonatal unit at Hořovice Hospital.
The Nedoklubko association in the Czech Republic has been explaining for nineteen years that parent-child contact is very beneficial for both parties. At the same time, however, it draws attention to perhaps the most important factor in the care of premature babies, which is patience. "When a baby is born prematurely, one cannot always look forward to kangarooing and breastfeeding right away, but it is necessary to know that everyone is doing everything possible so that the baby can go home with its parents as soon as possible," says Lucie Žáčková, the director of Nedoklubko.
On the occasion of this year's International Prematurity Day and the month that commemorates it, Nedoklubko visited 12 perinatology centres, 14 intermediate care centres and six neonatal wards, where the Fund distributed "purple medicine packages" to parents and also a limited edition of 2021 gift packages to all doctors, nurses and other staff working in neonatology wards. In addition to the purple-lit buildings, other charity events also commemorate International Prematurity Day, and parents mark their struggle with a string of knotted baby socks.
The intensive care unit at Hořovice Hospital was built in 2014. The idea of the whole ward is to bring the sick or immature child as close as possible to the parents, so both parents have completely unrestricted access to their child and are soon involved in the care. The entire ward is not only equipped with top medical equipment, but is also visually designed to make the environment as much like a home as possible, rather than a hospital.
This ward provides care for immature newborns from 30-31 weeks of pregnancy, as well as for premature newborns, most often with postnatal maladjustment or the development of other pathological conditions (infections, metabolic disorders, congenital developmental defects).
Where can you find the buildings lit up this year?
1. Brno - Špilberk Castle
2. České Budějovice - IGY Centrum
3. České Budějovice - South Bohemian Theatre
4. Hradec Králové - Town Hall
5. Most - Hněvín Castle
6. Olomouc - Hotel Theresian
7. Ostrava - OC Nová Karolina
8. Ostrava - Town Hall Tower
9. Pilsen - J.K. Tyla
10. Prague - Petrin tower
11. Prague - Dancing House
12. Prague - ÚPMD Podolí
13. Ústí nad Labem - Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
14. Zlín - Town Hall
15. Buchlovice - castle
16. Hořovice - hospital
17. Jablonec nad Nisou - divalo
18. Jáchymov - mint
19. Jihlava - Marian Column
20. Karlovy Vary - museum
21. Karlovy Vary - hospital
22. Kladno - theatre
23. Kolín - town hall
24. Liberec - town hall
25. Mladá Boleslav - town hall
26. Mnichovo Hradiště - town hall
27. Pardubice - East Bohemian Theatre
28. Písek - town hall
29. Loučeň - castle
30. Kyjov - town hall
31. Šternberk - castle
32. Uherské Hradiště - town hall
