Our mission and vision is to touch lives, positively. We are the national parent voice for those with babies #borntoosoon . Preemies start life with so much against them from birth. Together, let's ensure they get the best start to life.
SUPPORT PREMATS
ABOUT US
We are a Lilongwe-based organization, registered in Malawi as a Company limited by Guarantee and in process of acquiring a certificate with the NGO board. We are passionate about raising awareness, advocating for the rights of and providing care and support to premature babies and families affected by birth prematurity.
About US
We exist to accompany premature babies and their connected families along this journey, from birth to everyday growth spurts. As an organization we aim to:
- Raise awareness on the global phenomenon that is birth prematurity. Our country Malawi is one of the most affected countries in the world on this issue and we need to sensitize and mobilize support, attention and all available resources to respond to this global health challenge.
2. Advocate for the health and other rights of women and girls affected by birth prematurity, the premature babies themselves, preemie fathers/parents and all those within the eco-system that form part of the care enviroment necessary for these tiny babies to have a chance to live and to thrive. Quality of life and human rights protection are at the core of our efforts.
3. Provide care and support services and products to affected families- be it within the NICU spaces or in homes. The type of care needed is material, emotional, social and psychological care.
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Dr. Fulata Moyo
A seasoned Gender and spriituality specialist, Dr Fulata Moyo is a malawian based in Switzerand and worked previously with the World Council of Churches. She has a career focus on inter-faith pastoral care and was herself born a preemie
Dr. Anthony Chafunya
Senior medical doctor with MOH, currently based at Mitundu Community Hospital. A leader and an innovator he is passionate about HIV/AIDS management and surgery.
Mrs. Blessings Chiluzi
A Child Health Nurse Specialist. She worked at Kamuzu Central Hospital Neonatal Nursery Unit as a direct care giver providing care to sick neonates as well as a Unit manager. Now she works as a Child Health Nursing lecturer at KUHeS, Blantyre.
Support Premats' Executive Director is Mrs Bhatupe Mhango-Chipanta. Bhatupe is a young, dynamic Malawian female professional passionate about global health, gender issues and development. A graduate of Chancellor College where she studied Political Science and Public Administration, she has since gone on to study further.
After work in the governance sector she served with the United Nations for 6 years, managing its internal response to HIV and promoting the rights of People living with HIV globally. During this time she established herself as an AIDS activist, leading in grasssroots and global campaigns on anti-HIV/aids stigma and workplace rights. In 2011 She obtained an MBA in San Francisco and recently received an executive diploma in Negotiations and Diplomacy (Switzerland, 2020).
A natural networker, she spearheaded the Young Women Leader's Network (Lilongwe, Malawi) in early 2000s, and is a former Chairperson for the Association of Malawians in Switzerland. In 2019 she co-founded the Geneva-based Support Premats association that brings preemie parents together. During lockdowns she was a mentor in the Africa vs Virus challenge on Covid19 and has taken part in various hackathons. She is a TedEx Speaker and the author of 3 books that highlight woman and girls rights to sexual health rights. Her latest book, "Dying to Live", a memoir focusing on her work and reflections on global health also includes a chapter on her experience with birth prematurity. Today this experience remains her motivation for the work at Support Premats. Bhatupe is a mother and a wife. Connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Our Founder
- Mrs. Bhatupe Mhango-Chipanta (l) Executive Director (see full profile on Founder page)
- Mrs Thethani Pemba Milanzi (r), Administrative Officer
Our team
We operate using a very lean and dynamic team. At present our full office team is comprised of an Executive Director and an Administrative Officer. Working hand in hand with volunteers on ground, wellwishers and partner organizations we are there to offer the face and voice to preemie parents.
Get to know us
Stories from the field
Preemie Parents' experiences
"When I first saw my son with all the tubes and machines...I cried. But, immediately after those tears I saw how hard he was fighting to breathe, fighting to stay with us...I became a super human. If you ask me...I don't even remember how a C-section feels like. I had to be strong, I had to do my best, to fight like our champ!."
— Yamikani, Preemie Mom, Lilongwe
Am a mother of three. My first and second were premature. The first weighed 710grams and this was due to pre-eclampsia, and this time I was at 27 weeks. My second was 1.4kgs due to the same pre-eclampsia...when my baby was born I remember my friend (a nurse) telling me not to stay there but to move to a private hospital because the hospital did not have equipent needed to take care of babies that size. We left for a private hospital and stayed there for 2 months and got good care. I recall a nurse from another hospital visiting and remarking how she didn't know that those tiny babies can survive. Preemies can.
— Eliza Preemie mom, Blantyre
Get In Touch
Phone
(+265) 995730839
Email
Feel free to call us or come visit us during work hours. Our office is along area 23 street, behind SD Investments Building, Office 2, Block B, Chilinde/Kawale, Lilongwe, Malawi
USEFUL RESOURCES:
Chilinde Health Services
PARTNERS
More coming soon...
#WPDay2022
This year's global campaign posters focus on Zero separation and promoting #skintoskincontact early.
Posters available here are free for your use. For other ideas on how to get involved this year and see what others are doing, in support of
World Prematurity Day visit the official day facebook page.
More on #WPDay2022...
From our friends at
AFPNC, Accra, Ghana
More on #WPDay2022...
PREEMIE
CLOTHING
MATERNITY
CLOTHING
COMFORTABLE
CLOTHING
COMING SOON
OUR SHOP
launching FEB,2023!