A Tiny Fighter: The Story of Adrian Blessings
When Ruth Awino walked into St. Paul's Mission Hospital on 17th March 2026 at 32 weeks gestation, the odds were already stacked against her unborn child. What followed over the next several weeks would become not just a personal triumph for one family, but a landmark moment for the hospital — the first successful case from our newly established Newborn Unit.
Salmon, Nutrionist · 2 April 2026
On 17th March 2026, Ruth Awino was admitted to St. Paul's Mission Hospital at 32 weeks gestation. She delivered baby Adrian Blessings, who weighed just 1.3 kg at birth. Adrian was clinically weak — his reflexes were present but not strong enough to sustain breastfeeding on his own.
The newborn team started him on supplemented cow's gate formula, alternating with expressed breast milk over the first one and a half weeks. Expressing was encouraged throughout so that breastfeeding could be gradually established as his strength improved. Where direct feeding was not possible, intermittent gavage feeding ensured he received consistent nutrition.
Kangaroo Mother Care was initiated alongside feeding support. Ruth carried Adrian skin-to-skin through much of his stay, which helped regulate his temperature and kept her actively involved in his recovery. It also made a visible difference in how settled he was.
By discharge, Adrian weighed 1.8 kg. He was feeding better, his reflexes had improved, and Ruth was confident caring for him at home.
On 30th April 2026, Adrian came back to our MCH/Nutrition Clinic for follow-up weighing 2.2 kg — still on an upward trend and doing well.
This is the first successful case from our Newborn Unit since it was established, and it reflects what the team here is capable of when everyone plays their part. We look forward to many more.
Adrian continues on follow-up at the SPMH MCH/Nutrition Clinic.
