March of Dimes Eyes Long-Term Needs
The March of Dimes, which has been providing resources to sick and premature babies and pregnant women affected by Katrina, anticipates a number of long-term needs for these patients over the next 3–12 months. These include:
▸ The number of babies born prematurely is expected to rise, and these babies will require specialized neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), equipment, and care.
▸ A potentially large increase in the number of births in towns and cities such as Baton Rouge and Jackson that are housing evacuees is expected; this will strain existing facilities and services.
▸ More outreach workers and trained health professionals will need to be organized and deployed to provide prenatal care and counseling for displaced pregnant women.
▸ Updated information on available services for pregnant women and families will need to be provided as situations change; multivitamins with folic acid for women of childbearing age and pregnant women to reduce the risk of birth defects will also be needed.
▸ Infant and child vaccines will have to be purchased for shelters and clinics.
The voluntary health agency has been assisting hospitals, shelters, and towns throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. In one effort, about 100 sick and premature babies from hospitals in New Orleans and Mississippi were airlifted or transported to NICUs at Women's Hospital in Baton Rouge, the site of a new March of Dimes NICU Family Support project. The hospital also asked the March of Dimes for help with supplies such as formula and diapers for healthy babies and those being discharged.
The agency also activated and expanded its national network of 171 “Stork's Nests,” a cooperative program with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. The program provides pregnant women with maternity clothes, baby clothes, and furniture at little or no cost; it will also enable women living in shelters and temporary housing to access health education seminars on topics such as prenatal care, nutrition, infant care, and parenting.