About 10% 7%- of all babies in Israel are born prematurely (premature). This is about 14,000 babies every year*.
"Premature", according to the definition of the Ministry of Health, is any baby born before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Premature babies are at risk of severe morbidity and medical complications. Some do not last long and die in the hospital. The others do not receive the care they deserve, causing great suffering to them and their families. This population of premature babies are at high risk of severe morbidity and even death, even in the late weeks of birth.
Unlike children born on time. A premature baby is not just a "baby who needs to grow" but a baby whose body systems are not mature. While all premature babies are at developmental risk, a premature baby who develops infections is four times more likely to develop cerebral palsy and disabilities. Breast milk is an essential product for premature babies in Israel, unlike other western countries - there is no breast milk bank!
Unfortunately, about 50% of the deaths of babies in Israel are the product of miscarriages. The mortality rate of premature infants weighing 500-1000 grams in Israel is among the highest among developed countries and is about 40%, this is compared to 30% percent in the USA and only 20% percent in Australia and Germany.
Even if premature babies "survive" the morbidity and medical complications, they are required to continue treatment and special medical follow-up. Unfortunately, premature babies in Israel do not receive optimal follow-up and treatment upon their release from premature birth into the community. The damage of the poor follow-up can be discovered even many years after the birth and sometimes they are even irreversible.
Parents of premature babies have to deal with difficulties such as insufficient maternity leave, loss of working days, reserves, having to purchase special medical equipment and more.
In Israel there is a continuous shortage of neonatologists, something that endangers the continued existence of this profession. A severe shortage is also felt in nursing standards, something that severely affects infection rates from infections of premature babies in piglets and even increases the mortality rate.
Parents of premature babies are exposed to anxiety and stress resulting from uncertainty about their child's future. Most premature babies lack the infrastructure to allow parents to be part of the team caring for and supporting their child.
The State of Israel must provide for the special needs of premature infants and their families.
The Forum for Premature Children in Israel was founded on this basis.
In Israel there is a continuous shortage of neonatologists, something that endangers the continued existence of this profession. A severe shortage is also felt in nursing standards, something that severely affects infection rates from infections of premature babies in piglets and even increases the mortality rate.
Parents of premature babies are exposed to anxiety and stress resulting from uncertainty about their child's future. Most premature babies lack the infrastructure to allow parents to be part of the team caring for and supporting their child.
The State of Israel must provide for the special needs of premature infants and their families.
The Forum for Premature Children in Israel was founded on this basis.
* The number of births in Israel is constantly increasing. According to the CBS data, in 2013 there were 171,444 births and in 2014 there were 176,062 births
The Forum for Premature Babies in Israel was established on September 1, 2011 with the aim of uniting forces and cooperating for the sake of newborns in Israel. It is a representative, non-profit organization, whose main mission is to raise awareness and put all issues relevant to the health and quality of life of premature babies and their families in Israel - on the public agenda. The forum operates on the basis of a central agenda and takes steps to implement it. Its main goals are: (1) raising awareness and (2) improving the health and well-being of premature infants and their families.
Its main actions:
• Raising awareness.
• The marking of the International Day of Prematurity in Israel, every year.
• Collecting annual data and publishing the annual report on the condition of premature infants.
The members of the forum:
• MK Orly Levy-Abacsis, chairman of the committee for the rights of the child and coordinator of the topic of premature infants and newborns in the Israeli Knesset. chairman of the forum.
• LHB association - The Association for Premature Infants in Israel
• The Association for Neonatology and Pediatrics in Israel
• Senior doctors and directors of newborn and premature wards throughout the country
The forum's activity is supported through grants and sponsorships from organizations and companies. However, it is clarified that the forum for premature babies in Israel is
The sole responsible for initiating the activities, the publications and the communication surrounding them, including the contents and materials related to these activities.
1. Quality care for newborns and premature babies during their hospitalization:
1.1 Severe shortage of professional medical staff, infrastructure and equipment (including paramedical services).
1.2 Determining agreed standards including recognition of preemies as intensive care units and provision accordingly.
1.3 The absence of a breast milk bank, which is essential in preventing morbidity and shortening the length of hospitalization in preterm infants.
1.4 Funding the treatment of premature infants and its designation for this purpose.
1.5 Protecting premature babies and ensuring the safety of premature babies in an emergency.
2. Continued follow-up and proper treatment of premature babies after discharge from the hospital:
2.1 The continuation of treatment, developmental follow-up and accessibility in the community.
2.2 Discrimination of premature infants in insurance.
2.3 Social and other needs.
(RSV)" 2.4 Prophylactic treatment against "prematurity virus
The report on the condition of premature infants is published by the "Forum for Premature Infants in Israel", and provides a comprehensive (5-yearly) comparative review of the condition of premature infants in Israel. The report is published every year and refers to the various aspects related to the health and quality of life of premature infants and their families, starting with the initial care and the developmental follow-up they receive the newborn, including the social conditions to which premature infants and their families are entitled. It refers, among other things, to the level of morbidity and mortality, the quality of medical care and the social rights received by premature infants and their parents.
2012-11 Years: 2008-2012 [Link] Report on the condition of premature infants 01
2013-11 Years: 2013-2009 [Link] Report on the status of premature infants 02
2014-11 Years: 2014-2010 [Link] Report on the status of premature infants 03
Report on the status of premature infants 2011-2015 [link] Premature infants status report 04
International Prematurity Day
Celebrated around the world during the month of November, (World Prematurity Awareness Day) This day is noted for the purpose of raising the level of awareness among the general public about the special needs of babies born before their time (premature babies), putting on the government's agenda the issues that require state care, as well as collecting donations and coordinating other activities for the purpose of improving the health and quality of life of premature babies and their families.
organization of the roof,EFCNIAssociations, doctors' organizations and other bodies around the world are working to promote these goals, which were defined by the European for the promotion of abortion.
Israel also marks the day of premature birth, since 2009. The Knesset of Israel dedicates a special plenary discussion to this day and relevant issues are brought up for discussion in the various Knesset committees. The due date is also a platform for supporting legislation and monitoring the issues surrounding the issue. She leads the activities of Yom Peg in the Knesset of Israel MK Orly Levy-Abacsis in collaboration with LHB association andThe Israeli Association for Neonatology, which together constitute the "Forum for Premature Infants in Israel", which is also responsible for other activities within the framework of this day, which are also carried out in the media arena, in hospitals and through other activities and events.
This day is an important global opportunity to discuss the many difficulties and risks associated with premature births, as well as to promote the needs of the families of premature babies and the medical staff who care for them.
For donations and assistance - please contact the LAH association by phone: 03-9533935 or via emailinfo@pagim.net
The Lehab Association - For Premature Infants in Israel (AR) is a nationwide association established by parents of premature infants and former premature infants for the purpose of promoting and improving the condition of premature infants in Israel, their families, and premature infants in Israel and to reduce the number of premature infants born each year and increase awareness of the dangers of miscarriages.
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