Zulekha Hospital Sharjah NICU Enhances Lives of Preterm Babies
Infection free, 24/7 care by experts essential for infant care

Mohamed Awad Elassel with his father and treating doctor

Sharjah, UAE, 29 August 2019: Zulekha Hospital Sharjah’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) received 1100 admissions since 2018, of which 150 were preterm babies. Preterm babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is completed. Preterm birth occurs for a variety of reasons, common causes including multiple pregnancies, infections and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure; however, often no cause is identified. 

Every year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm (before 37 completed weeks of gestation), and this number is rising. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age. 

Neonatologists in Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah have recently successfully managed and discharged pre-term twins, Jaskirat and Japseerat Kaur born at 28 weeks gestation. Their birth weight was only 900 grams and 860 grams respectively, considered as extreme cases of preterm birth. The twins suffered from infection and jaundice at the time of birth which was managed by the team of experts at the NICU department. The babies were discharged without any setbacks after the increase in their weight to 2000 grams, which is the ideal weight of babies born at full-term pregnancy.

Dr. Sujay Narayanarao, Consultant Neonatologist at Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah said: “ Our committed experts trained in specialized infant care are available 24 hours, 7 days a week, to treat babies requiring care in our NICU. The newborns were treated in a timely manner at the hospital’s level III NICU led by our internationally-trained neonatologists and qualified nurses. The cooperation and patience of the parents helped the team do our best for the families.” 

Managing Director, Taher Shams says, “At a time when infants are battling for the life we are privileged to stand by them in this difficult moment. As a baby-friendly hospital, we follow stringent infection control practices and manage these babies in the presence of their parents to ensure the bonding is strengthened, and they are assured of the high-quality care administered to their dear ones to enable a normal healthy life.”

In another case, Mohamed Awad Elassel, born at 26 weeks with weight 880 grams, a more challenging condition where the baby was kept on ventilator for a prolonged duration due to low birth weight, bleeding from lungs and large Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). The condition was managed medically by the team and the baby was discharged after two and a half months in the hospital.

Dr Narayanarao added:” The unit is equipped with the most advanced high-frequency ventilators for management of critical cases. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is provided for extremely preterm babies where a special formula is given through a vein which provides most of the nutrients the body needs.” 

The hospital has been recently certified with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) accreditation by UNICEF and WHO for their best practices in breastfeeding and childcare.  The Pediatric Emergency of the hospital is the only one that operates 24/7 among healthcare providers in the Emirate.

About Zulekha Healthcare Group www.zulekhahospitals.com 

Zulekha Healthcare Group is a Superbrand and among the forerunners in UAE healthcare. Today the Zulekha Healthcare Group includes two multidisciplinary hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah, as well as four UAE medical centres and three pharmacies providing specialised treatments in over 30 disciplines. The group also has a multidisciplinary hospital in India – Alexis. Zulekha Hospital has received extensive recognition for its commitment towards quality care and sustainable business practices, and recently received the prestigious Dubai Quality Award for the second time in four years, underling a commitment to providing high-quality healthcare to patients and society. 

Media Contact:

Sameena Khanam – Senior Manager PR and Communication
Zulekha Hospitals +971 6 5069254 
skhanam@zulekhahospitals.com