Health experts are calling on the government to consider subsidizing life-saving treatment for premature babies, citing that the high cost of essential medication is putting vulnerable newborns at risk.
Dr Celia Kariuki, a neonatologist at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and a member of the Kenya Paediatric Association, says the cost of surfactant, a specialised medicine used to treat breathing complications in premature babies, places it beyond the reach of many families.
Speaking to KBC during a media advocacy forum ahead of World Pneumonia Day to be marked on November 12th and World Prematurity Day on November 15th, Dr Kariuki called for increased advocacy and collaboration among relevant stakeholders to ensure equitable access to essential commodities for newborn care.
Surfactant is a naturally occurring substance that keeps the tiny air sacs in the lungs open, enabling babies to breathe. Premature babies whose lungs are not fully developed may not produce enough of it, putting them at risk of Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Doctors can administer replacement surfactant to help the lungs function, but access remains a challenge in some public health facilities. With a five-millilitre vial costing upwards of 30,000 shillings, the treatment is out of reach for many families, being mostly available in private and level 6 facilities.
