NICU Baby Tabitha

Born premature, Tabitha is now an energetic 6-year-old (pictured with her parents).

Born at 29 weeks, 6-year-old Tabitha is a testimony of resilience and the efforts of Bwindi Community Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics, specifically the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

"I used to hear about premature babies, but had never experienced having one. When my wife came for a check-up at 7 months of pregnancy, they said she had eclampsia, and that we had to stay in the hospital for a safe delivery," explained Humphrey Niwagaba, Tabitha's father.

Tabitha's parents spent only 72,000 Uganda Shillings ($19 U.S.) for the hospital stay because of their enrollment in eQuality Health Insurance Bwindi, medical benefits offered by Bwindi Community Hospital.

"I am grateful to Bwindi Community Hospital for taking care of my baby. She is now a healthy 6-year-old. We almost gave up, but the nurses encouraged us to be firm. Our girl was a baby born too soon, she is a survivor," he added.

Humphrey and other parents came to Bwindi Community Hospital during the World Prematurity Day Celebration at the pediatrics ward where the NICU staff celebrated the babies who have gone through the department over the years.