World Patient Safety Day is an excellent opportunity to draw attention to a particularly vulnerable group: premature babies.
Every year in Poland, approximately 3,000 extremely preterm infants are born, accounting for about 1.1% of all births. These tiny babies, born prematurely, often face many health challenges, ranging from organ immaturity to the risk of complications and long-term developmental issues.
It is precisely for them that the pilot program for Comprehensive Care for Preterm Infants (#KORD) was created. This program aims to improve the quality of care for preterm infants, ensure faster diagnosis, coordinated treatment, and support for families. Thanks to the initiatives carried out as part of #KORD, the youngest patients gain access to modern diagnostic methods and therapies that can significantly improve their prognosis for the future.
According to data from the National Health Fund (NFZ), in 2024–2025, over 1.78 million zlotys were spent on services related to the care of premature infants:
- providing care for 297 children at seven centers across Poland.
The Mother and Child Institute, as the leader of this project, plays a key role in coordinating activities, ensuring the highest standards of care.
During a press conference organized to mark World Patient Safety Day, Deputy Minister Tomasz Maciejewski emphasized the importance of creating support systems and improving the quality of care for the most vulnerable patients. The #KORD pilot program is not only about improving medical care but also providing emotional support to parents, who often have to cope with immense stress and uncertainty.
It is worth noting that premature infants are a group of children particularly vulnerable to various complications, such as respiratory diseases, heart problems, neurological developmental disorders, and delays in reaching subsequent developmental milestones. That is why it is so important for their care to be comprehensive, based on the latest standards, and available in every region of the country.
Implementing programs such as #KORD is a step toward ensuring that every premature baby has a chance at a healthy start in life. It is also an expression of the entire healthcare system’s concern and commitment to the safety and well-being of its youngest patients.
On the occasion of World Patient Safety Day, the OliEdu Foundation, which runs the nationwide #fioletowelove initiative, reminds us how important it is to continuously improve standards of medical care, especially for the most vulnerable groups. Every initiative that improves the quality of care and increases our children’s chances of a healthy life deserves support and promotion.
Let’s ensure the safety of our youngest patients—it’s our shared responsibility!
