Willemstad, November 17th – Today, on World Prematurity Day, we are reminded that 1 in every 10 babies worldwide is born prematurely. To commemorate this day, Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) is officially extending parental access in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This change allows parents to remain close to their premature newborns at all times, supporting bonding, emotional stability, and recovery.
This marks another important step in strengthening CMC’s family-centered care philosophy. “These babies may be small, but their strength and that of their families is extraordinary,” says Dr. Ginette Ecury, Neonatal Specialist at CMC. “Allowing parents to be present and actively involved makes a significant difference in their baby’s development and recovery. It also contributes to the well-being of the parents.”
The new 24/7 access policy reflects CMC’s ongoing commitment to Sirbi ku Amor and aligns with the World Health Organization’s call for family-centered neonatal care. The NICU team promotes Kangaroo Mother Care, breastfeeding support, and open communication to ensure families feel included and empowered. “Supporting families is not optional, it is essential,” adds Valdemar Maduro, Head of NICU Nurses. “When parents are present, hold their baby skin-to-skin, and participate in daily care, outcomes improve and families feel less isolated.”
Each year, the NICU at CMC admits between 100 and 120 newborns, of which 40 to 50 are born before 32 weeks of pregnancy. These premature babies often require intensive medical support due to underdeveloped lungs, brains, and immune systems.
