Simple, Affordable Interventions Can Help Pre-Term Babies Survive, Secretary-General Says in Message on World Prematurity

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message on World Prematurity Day, to be observed on 17 November:

Each year, 15 million babies are born too early.  That is more than one in 10 births.  And new estimates from the World Health Organization suggest that this number is rising.

Tragically, the lives of many of these babies also end far too soon, especially in the world’s poorest countries, where they are eight times less likely to survive than those born in a high-income country.  Many will die after just a few days of life.

These deaths are unacceptable.  The majority of pre-term babies could survive with simple and affordable interventions like warmth, oxygen, nourishment and essential medicines.

Addressing premature births is a priority for the United Nations.  That is why my Every Woman Every Child initiative mobilizes Governments, multilateral organizations, the private sector and civil society partners to increase investments in universal health coverage to strengthen the quality of maternal and new-born care.

World Prematurity Day is an opportunity to give the world’s most vulnerable babies the attention they deserve and help give them the best possible start at life.