MAKE THE FIRST 1,000 DAYS COUNT PROJECT
The Make the First 1000 Days Count Project is an initiative by the Department of Paediatrics of the University of the Free State (UFS) and the MACAH Foundation to promote a solid foundation for future generations of our immediate communities and country. The annual 'First 1000 Days Awareness Month' was celebrated from 1-30 November 2023.
The initiative focuses on raising awareness and promoting the importance of the first 1000 days of life. Several YouTube videos were posted on social media platforms to increase knowledge among healthcare practitioners, teachers, youth, and policymakers. The following topics were discussed: Nutrition, Breastfeeding, Prematurity, HIV, Mental Health and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC).
According to Prof Corinna Walsh (Head of Nutrition and Dietetics), approximately 30% of children under the age of three's growth are stunted because of chronic malnutrition. The effects of stunting last a lifetime, resulting in more significant risks of diseases, lower productivity, and earning up to 20% lower average wages as adults. The first 1000 days of life, from conception to age two, is a critical period during which children's brains can form as many as one million neural connections every second, a once-in-a-lifetime pace that will never be repeated during their lifetime. These connections are the vital building blocks of every child's future.
BAGS4MOMS
Several bags are delivered to public hospitals each year for mothers and babies in need. The bags contain necessities for the newborn baby and new mother. Different institutions and individuals in the Mangaung area donate products to meet the needs of our moms and newborns.
'A baby is born needing to be loved and cared for – and never outgrows it'. This would not be possible without the generous hand of local businesses and supporters.
WORLD PREMATURITY DAY, 17 NOVEMBER
On Prematurity Day, 17 November, we celebrated the fighting preemies in the NICU and HICU. Honouring and supporting the mommies of these little, vulnerable babies is very important. The matron and nursing staff in the neonatal unit at the Universitas Academic Hospital spoiled them with purple cupcakes, sang songs, and gave them gifts. A photographer from Bloemfontein, who has a passion for babies, spoiled them by capturing beautiful photos of them on this special day.
All the staff, including the neonatologists, attended the memorable event and highlighted the importance of caring for our premature babies.