The beautiful agony of motherhood

Worldwide, it is estimated 15 million babies are born preterm each year, with at least one million of those dying annually due to the inherent complications of prematurity. At Princess Marina Hospital, the public health sector’s main referral centre, 1,291 of the 7,145 children born in 2015 were premature. Premature babies not only face higher risks of illness, but even when they survive, they are at greater risk of developing chronic ailments.

In Botswana, 40% of infant mortality is attributed to neonatal mortality or deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life. Goitseone Motaung is a young, proud mother of a handsome four-year-old boy.  Junior was born when his mother was seven months pregnant.