Ambalo Twins: Because Of Quality Newborn Care

Whatever celebration the family envisaged sequel to the birth of the set of male twins was soon tinged with great concern. About their chances of survival. This, because both were low birth weights, a condition that put them at great risk of sickness. And eventual death - if appropriate medical care was not immediately provided. Generally, infants weighing less than 2.5 kg at birth are considered to be of low birth weight.  

Ambalo Marceline Anu, 22, is a final year undergraduate student in Communication and Development Studies with the University of Bamenda. The young single mother on October 15, 2021 gave birth to a set of male twins in the Bamenda Regional Hospital. However, they were delivered premature - after 7 months of pregnancy. “At birth, the older twin weighed 1.3 kg and the second 1.5 kg,” Marceline recalls, cuddling one of the babies. Both of whom are still to be named.  

Understanding the risks the two babies faced, maternity staff immediately referred them to the hospital’s nursery for specialised, quality newborn care. “Upon arrival in the nursery, the second baby was placed on oxygen concentrator. Later, both of them spent time in radiant warmers. After more than a month in the nursery, my babies’ weights have improved,” Marceline explains with a huge sigh of relief.

As at November 13, 2012, the first baby’s weight had climbed up to 1.4 kg. After dropping from 1.3 kg at birth to 1.2 kg before he was admitted in the nursery. The second baby also weighed 1.4 kg, as against 1.5 kg at birth. Before he later dropped to 1.3 kg. Meanwhile, the second baby is still in the incubator for treatment against jaundice.

The twins, Marceline’s first deliv...