17th of November, the World Prematurity Day

November is Prematurity Awareness Month

Every year, 15 million babies are born preterm—before 37 weeks of gestation. November is Prematurity Awareness Month, with World Prematurity Day on November 17, now officially endorsed by WHO!

This milestone, announced by our long-time partner GFCNI, reinforces the vital importance of investing in the health and well-being of preterm babies from the very beginning. Giving every baby the best possible start is not only a moral imperative—it’s a smart investment in stronger, more resilient societies.

We proudly share this year’s slogan: Give preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future, which aligns perfectly with GE HealthCare’s commitment:Preserve today, the potential of tomorrow.

*World Health Organization, Preterm birth, May 2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/preterm-birth

Did you know?

An estimated 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020 (before 37 completed weeks of gestation)⁽¹⁾.

Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age, responsible for approximately 900000 deaths in 2019⁽²⁾.

Three-quarters of these deaths could be prevented with current, cost-effective interventions.⁽³⁾

Across countries, the rate of preterm birth ranges from 4-6% of babies born in 2020.⁽³⁾

1. Ohuma E, Moller A-B, Bradley E, et al. National, regional, and worldwide estimates of preterm birth in 2020, with trends from 2010: a systematic analysis. Lancet. 2023;402(10409):1261-1271. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00878-4.

2. Perin J, Mulick A, Yeung D, et al. Global, regional, and national causes of under-5 mortality in 2000-19: an updated systematic analysis with implications for the Sustainable Development Goals. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2022; 6(2): 106-15.

3. World Health Organization, Preterm births

Webinar - Preterm Optimization in Practice: Insights, Innovations & Realities from a UK Tertiary Centre

Learn more

Thank you to the NICU caregivers around the world

At GE HealthCare, we’re working to provide the equipment clinicians need to deliver exceptional care, but it goes beyond the equipment. We would like to thank all the NICU Caregivers for their incredible work they do on a daily basis.

Thermal Management in Newborn Patients

Targeted Temperature Management for Newborns

Maintaining optimal body temperature for newborns can be a challenge due to their underdeveloped skin, underdeveloped ability to sweat or shiver, large surface-to-body mass ratio, and higher metabolic rate. Here we share information and insights on how clinicians help keep newborns at an ideal temperature and thriving.

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At GE HealthCare, we are taking actions

Indian, South Asia

This year, the ISA team launched the Purple Pledge campaign, inviting all of you to sign up and receive a personalized certificate! Don’t hesitate to join this event,
anyone from everywhere in the world can take part in participating in making a pledge to help promte healthy deliveries! Join now HERE!

Australia

Together with the local foundation Life’s little treasures foundations, our Australian team has participated in the initiative of the Mighty Trek Challenge to symbolize and raise awareness of the journey – pushing an incubator 900 kilometers in 20 locations between Sydney and Melbourne! Know more HERE

Middle East, Turkey

This year, our EAGM team has captured a heart touching prematurity story of Omnia Soliman, whose journey is a powerful reminder of courage, love and the difference early care makes. Click here to watch the video!
And following up with the inspiring story of Baby precious that the team interviewed last year, we now see the baby thrive one year after! Check it out here.
In Saudi Arabia, our team has supported three main hospitals to sponsor the prematurity events to raise the awareness across the nation.

South Africa

Our partner Medhold in South Africa joined our hospital partners in celebrating Prematurity Day, to honor the incredible NICU teams and the resilience of preterm babies, provided thoughtful items such as cupcakes, baby blankets, food platters, and teddy bears. It was a privilege to be part of these celebrations, recognizing these brave little warriors and the dedicated NICU professionals who care for them.

Nordic & Netherland

The Nordics & Netherland team will share purple cookies with customers during the month and a video & a new leaflet are shared and sent to the customers, check the SoMe post HERE.

France

On November 19th, the University Hospital of Orléans in France hosted a special event to mark World Prematurity Day. As part of the initiative, the hospital recreated a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-like space at its main entrance, offering visitors an immersive experience to better understand the challenges of prematurity.
We at GE HealthCare, our French team is proud to support this initiative by lending advanced medical equipment used in real NICU settings.
Our goal is to help bring the experience to life and contribute to raising awareness about the care and support needed for premature infants.

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JB04640XE January 2026

17th of November, the World Prematurity Day

November is Prematurity Awareness Month

Did you know?

Webinar - Preterm Optimization in Practice: Insights, Innovations & Realities from a UK Tertiary Centre

Thank you to the NICU caregivers around the world

Thermal Management in Newborn Patients

Targeted Temperature Management for Newborns

At GE HealthCare, we are taking actions

Indian, South Asia

Australia

Middle East, Turkey

South Africa

Nordic & Netherland

France

Stories of preemies and their families

Article

Article

Article

Premium solutions to enhance prematurity care

Giraffe OmniBed Carestation

Giraffe Incubator Carestation

Panda Warmer ResusView