A family in Akure, Ondo State, has celebrated the discharge of their premature baby from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Sckyé Hospitals Ltd after more than two months of specialised medical care.
The baby, Oluwatosin, who was born at just 26 weeks and three days of gestation, weighed only 800 grams at birth and was immediately admitted to the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for intensive monitoring and treatment.
Hospital officials said the infant was delivered on March 22, 2026, and fell within the category of Extremely Low Birth Weight babies, a classification used for newborns weighing less than 1,000 grams.
After spending 70 days under close medical supervision, the baby was discharged on May 31 with a weight of 1,480 grams.
The hospital said the child would continue to receive post-discharge monitoring from a team of specialists to ensure steady growth and development.
Speaking during the discharge ceremony, the baby's mother expressed gratitude to the management and medical team of the hospital for what she described as exceptional care and dedication throughout the period of admission.
She admitted that although she remained hopeful, she initially had doubts about the baby's chances of survival because of the extremely early delivery and low birth weight.
According to her, the financial burden associated with prolonged neonatal care was another major concern for the family.
It was gathered that the family was only able to cover the cost of the first 14 days of treatment, while the hospital absorbed the remaining expenses as part of its support for the family.
The lead clinician and Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Omolayo Olubosede, commended the hospital's Medical Director, Dr Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, and his wife, Mrs Abiola Ikubese, for approving the intervention and prioritising the child's survival over financial considerations.
She also praised the doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers whose commitment contributed to the successful outcome.
Olubosede noted that the case marked a significant milestone for the hospital, being the first Extremely Low Birth Weight baby managed successfully following recent upgrades to its neonatal facilities.
The hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is equipped with uninterrupted power supply, incubators, oxygen concentrators, phototherapy units and specialised nursing support designed to improve the survival chances of vulnerable newborns.
According to the World Health Organisation, premature birth remains a major public health challenge globally, with survival rates varying significantly between developed and developing countries.
The organisation notes that while a large proportion of extremely preterm babies born in low-income nations die within the first days of life, survival rates are considerably higher in countries with advanced neonatal care services.
WHO has continued to advocate improved maternal and newborn healthcare practices aimed at reducing premature births and improving outcomes for mothers and infants.
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