The Dancing On Ice judge visited a neonatal clinic for the first time since her daughter's traumatic birth, while supporting a UNICEF programme in Africa.
Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse has relived the traumatic experience of giving birth to her baby early after jetting out 3,000 miles to west Africa to meet with mums nursing their premature little ones. The 34-year-old professional dancer returned to a neonatal unit for the first time since she went through a tough 16-hour labour with her daughter, who arrived two months early, weighing just 3lbs in 2023.
Oti's baby girl spent the next six weeks in intensive care at University College London Hospital after she was born with an infection and the Strictly star also developed sepsis. Both baby and mum recovered but the Dancing On Ice judge revealed her intense trauma after visiting a UNICEF-funded specialist clinic in Ivory Coast Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) in Africa.
In the city of Abidjan she witnessed how premature babies are receiving critical life-saving treatment and daily care including a UNICEF programme called "Kangaroo Mother Care" which promotes the importance of skin-on-skin contact. Opening up about her own traumatic experience, Oti said: “I remember the only way I could touch my child and have skin-on-skin was through this glass window – there's no mother who wants to experience that.”
According to UNICEF, an estimated 4.8 million children died globally in 2024 before reaching their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns who died within the first 28 days of life, the Mirror reports.
In Cote D’Ivoire, lack of access to specialised care is one of the reasons that prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five.
In Abidjan, the UNICEF team offers breastfeeding support clinics and regular check-ups until the babies are of age to attend school alongside locally made loin cloth slings, so mothers remain in close contact with their babies.
At the hospital, Oti spoke with Ouattara, a mother whose first baby was born prematurely and needed critical care.
Sadly, her baby died six days later due to the lack of access to specialised support.
Thankfully, her second baby, Abdul, who was also born prematurely, was rushed to the UNICEF centre where they stayed for three weeks to get the care and attention they needed.
Two years on, Abdul is a healthy and happy little boy.
The Strictly star also visited a UNICEF-supported foster care home, where the organisation supports children providing food and ensuring they stay in education or have vocational training.
There, she met Madame Massandje, who has been trained by UNICEF to identify kids living on the streets and offer them safety and shelter in her own home.
Madame Massandje currently has 15 children in her care as a result - four girls and eleven boys aged three to fifteen.
Speaking about her inspiring trip ahead of Soccer Aid for UNICEF, Oti said: “Visiting Côte d’Ivoire with UNICEF UK showed me the first-hand impact of the importance of vital care for children and their parents - especially for those that are born prematurely.
Oti Mabuse visited Côte d’Ivoire to see first-hand how donations raised through Soccer Aid for UNICEF can help children (Image: UNICEF/Volpe)
"My own baby was born prematurely, so seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara brought everything home. I know how vital that care and support is in those early days. Worldwide an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024 - deaths that were mostly preventable.
"I also met incredible foster carers like Madame Massandje, who are changing children’s lives and helping give them the start in life they deserve. These experiences showed me the real difference donations make. That’s why I’m so proud to be part of Soccer Aid for UNICEF - to help give every child a safe, healthy start in life.”
Oti's trip will be broadcasted in a UNICEF appeal film which will feature during Soccer Aid for UNICEF on Sunday June 15.
It will be broadcasted on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 6pm.
This year, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, every donation you make to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million.
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