For those that have been pregnant and have had children, it is widely known that any birth that takes place prior to the 37th week of pregnancy is considered premature. The cause of premature babies is often unknown, but statistics have shown that 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely.
With this, it was at Expo 2020 that a new initiative was announced – UK based organization, Leo & Mia, on November 17th, which is also World Prematurity Day.
The Leo & Mia Foundation is dedicated to providing vital information systems that can aid, treat, support and help prevent premature births, whilst also treating premature babies within the first 3 years of their lives. The initiative also offers families the essential knowledge, financial aid, and guidelines required to raise a healthy premature child with balanced cognitive development. Dr. Gopakumar Nair, chief executive of the Leo & Mia Foundation said in a statement, “We are absolutely delighted to officially launch today and bring a message of hope to babies and their mothers in the UAE and around the world.”
So, why are we writing about a UK based foundation? Well, not only did it launch at Expo 2020 Dubai, but the Leo & Mia Foundation will also be launching a family-integrated program in partnership with the Latifa Women and Children Hospital in Dubai to support families with premature babies in financial, physical, and emotional areas of their lives. “Passion and dedication are what drives us to create a hopeful pathway for preterm babies together with their families to live a joyful life and realize their full potential,” explained Dr. Nair.
Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely, and in many of those cases, an early delivery means there can be a number of complications and health concerns for both the mother and child. Some of these complications include, difficulty breathing, and sight and sonic issues, making it one of the leading causes of fatality in children under the age of five.
The Leo & Mia foundation offers pre and post-natal care through their care packages, which include medical interventions, rehabilitation programs, and maintenance guidelines.
