Tondo hospital receives 2 new incubators as premature births increase

Tondo Medical Center received two new incubators from Rotary Club amid the increase in the number of premature babies recently.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," Monday, the hospital has only five functioning incubators out of the eight they have.

Premature babies need to placed in incubators so they can grow in a safe environment.

"Ang mga preterm babies mas madali silang mawalan ng sapat na init sa katawan so itong incubator will help us control the temperature, the humidity and siyempre protects the preterm babies from infection and acquiring diseases," said Dr. Marian Michelle Uy, chief resident at TMC.

Lack of prenatal checkup is one of the causes of preterm births.

"Kailangan po sila makipag-coordinate sa kanilang doctor o health center para sila ay maalagaan kasi kapag alaga ang nanay habang siya'y nagbubuntis alaga din po ang bata," said Dr. Maria Isabelita Estrella, medical director of Tondo Medical Center.

Based on data from the National Demographic and Health Survey, 118 out of 2,942 births in the past two years were preterm. This is 4% of births, while the percentage is even higher among women aged 35 to 49 compared to younger mothers.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News