A premature baby in critical condition is now home and healthy thanks to the quick actions of the Afshar Hospital neonatal nursery team and a donated dose of Survanta, a lifesaving medication that helps premature babies breathe when their lungs aren’t fully developed.
Born at just 32 weeks and under 5 pounds, the baby began struggling to breathe soon after delivery at a small clinic in Kabul. The facility wasn’t equipped to handle such a severe case, and as the baby’s oxygen levels dropped and his skin turned blue, clinic staff urged the worried family to transfer him immediately to Afshar Hospital.
Once at the hospital, the baby was rushed to the neonatal nursery, where the team began emergency care and respiratory support. However, his condition quickly worsened, and he went into cardiac arrest.
After performing emergency procedures, the neonatal team made a final attempt to stabilize the baby. They administered Survanta, a special medication donated by Americares, directly into his lungs to help him breathe. Almost immediately, his oxygen levels began to rise and his symptoms eased. Over the next 12 days, he slowly gained strength under the close watch of the neonatal team until he was finally strong enough to go home with his family.
The family expressed deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and donors who made their son’s recovery possible, saying the donated medication saved his life.
Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Amarkhail, head of pediatric and neonatal care at Afshar Hospital, said access to Survanta and similar treatments has greatly improved outcomes for premature babies in Afghanistan, where lifesaving care like this was once unaffordable or unavailable. Now, thanks to ongoing support from partners like Americares, more newborns have a greater chance to survive and thrive.
This baby’s recovery is one of many made possible by Afshar Hospital’s dedicated medical team and the support of donors and partners.
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