Life Signal: Helping Preterm Babies

Preterm babies are the smallest and most vulnerable patients for whom every minute of life is a challenge. Their organs are not yet fully formed, and they need constant medical supervision and support. The situation is even more complicated in the war: due to stress, limited access to medical care and damage to medical facilities, the number of premature births has increased. Hospitals are working at the limit of their capacity, often without the necessary equipment to monitor the condition of newborns.

One of the most important tools for nursing preterm babies is a pulse oximeter.

A pulse oximeter is a small device that measures the level of oxygen in the blood and the pulse rate. For a tiny premature baby, this control is a matter of life and death.

Even a minimal drop in oxygen levels can lead to serious complications: brain, heart, lung damage or, unfortunately, irreversible consequences. It is the pulse oximeter that allows the medical team to detect the threat in time and act immediately.

For three hospitals:

• Uzhhorod City Multidisciplinary Clinical Hospital of the Uzhhorod City Council (UMCCH),

• Clinical Perinatal Center of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Sumy City Council (CPC of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the SMC),

• Central City Clinical Hospital of the Chernivtsi City Council (CCCH) – we are looking to purchase 9 modern high-precision Rad 97 pulse oximeters manufactured by Masimo (USA).

This is a portable monitor for continuous monitoring of vital signs: blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and perfusion index. It provides high accuracy even in infants with very poor perfusion and in moving conditions. This pulse oximeter also has a 7-hour battery life, which is important in times of power outages.Without pulse oximeters, doctors are actually “walking blindly”, risking missing critical changes in the condition of a small patient.

With them, every breath of the child is under control, every alarming change is noticed instantly.

In addition to pulse oximeters, the project will also purchase 2 temperature sensors for an open resuscitation system for the Uzhhorod City Multidisciplinary Clinical Hospital. These sensors are critical for monitoring the body temperature of preterm infants, as an unstable heat balance can lead to life-threatening complications. Constant temperature monitoring allows the medical team to respond to changes in a timely manner and provide babies with the necessary conditions for stabilization and further recovery.

Let's help doctors save children's lives together!