Recent data from the Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) reveal that in the Americas region, which includes El Salvador, nearly 1 in 10 births per year occur before 37 weeks of gestation, which represents more than 1 million newborns each year.

Currently, the causes of premature births are due to many factors, most cases occur spontaneously, but some are due to pregnancy complications that require early induction of labor or cesarean delivery. Prematurity is not just a statistic; it is a reality that touches the lives of many.

Every moment shared, every care given, becomes a step towards a future full of possibilities for these beings. Behind every number, there are stories of strength and resilience, of little fighters and their parents who unite in a path full of love and care.

For example, organizations such as WHO and PAHO stress the importance of family inclusion, where skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding emerge as essential practices, not only for the physical development of the premature baby, but also to strengthen vital emotional bonds.

The Neonatal Alliance for Latin America and the Caribbean promotes policies that facilitate the participation of parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), as it is crucial for this process, favoring an attentive and sensitive care environment.

It is important to make visible the emotions experienced by the parents, as the concern, although normal, should be balanced and not overwhelm them excessively.

Hence, establishing a balance between attentive care and confidence in the baby's growth and strength is vital.

This comprehensive approach not only improves the well-being of infants, but also provides essential support for the emotional health of the family, aligning with the vision of human rights and quality person-centered care. The importance of using specially designed products In addition to promoting awareness of prematurity and the importance of family support, it is critical to find effective ways to provide help to families facing this challenge.

With this in mind, P&G and Walmart Central America are teaming up to raise awareness about prematurity and, at the same time, provide practical support to the families who need it most. 2/3 Business Use Through this collaboration, for every Pampers package purchased, a Pampers Preemies diaper will be donated to underprivileged communities.

Pampers Preemies diapers have been specially created to provide premature babies with uninterrupted sleep and promote healthy skin, allowing for proper growth and optimal brain development.

This collaboration applies to purchases made at Walmart Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras from february 21 through april 2, 2024. The objective of this action is to address the unique challenges of these babies, mainly due to their more sensitive skin and their development still in process, where using products carefully designed with these specific needs in mind can be crucial for their comfort and healthy development, with benefits such as ensuring up to 6 hours of absorption for uninterrupted sleep.

This initiative also seeks to drive awareness of the importance of love, support and family strength in building a strong future for these little fighters throughout the region.

By joining together, we can be part of a support network for premature babies and their families. "Faced with the challenge of prematurity and its impact on families with limited economic resources, this initiative by Pampers and Walmart Central America focuses on helping with the specialized diapers of the Preemies line, designed in collaboration with neonatology and dermatology experts. Now, beyond offering products that provide softness and protection, we are living a key moment to raise awareness about the importance of love, support and family strength to build a solid future for these little fighters throughout the region," concludes Alejandro Fernandez, P&G's Director of Corporate Communications for Central America and the Caribbean.

"For Walmart, these types of alliances reaffirm our mission to help Central American families live better lives. It is here where the union we establish with our business partners takes on a social relevance that transcends for those most in need, and we are more than pleased to contribute to this noble cause", said Claudia de Ibáñez, deputy director of Social License Walmart Central America.

In short, prematurity is not just a statistic, it is a reality that touches the lives of thousands of families. Each little preemie warrior teaches us about strength and resilience and reminds us of the importance of family care in their first steps.

Support at this crucial stage is key and this Pampers Preemies initiative with Walmart Central America is an example of how we can come together to support these families. We invite you to join us and be part of the support network for the little premature warriors.

Translated by: A.M