Bengaluru, Nov 16 (FN Bureau) With neonatal care costs often exceeding what low-income families can afford, the Neonates Foundation of India (NFI) is stepping in to bridge this critical gap.On World Prematurity Day, NFI partnered with South United Football Club (SUFC) to organise the Goal for Good Cup, a football tournament aimed at raising awareness and funds for affordable neonatal care.Highlighting the foundation’s mission, NFI spokesperson Suma Jairam told UNI here on Saturday, “NICU costs, ranging between 10,000 and 15,000 per day, are far beyond the reach of families earning 12,000–13,000 a month. Premature infants, often born at just 22–24 weeks and weighing as little as 560 grams, require prolonged NICU support of up to 65 days. These high costs make equitable access to care essential.”Through its network of 31 partner hospitals, NFI has already provided life-saving NICU support to over 100 infants, emphasising the need for urgent action to combat Karnataka’s neonatal mortality rate of 14 per 1,000 live births (2020).The Goal for Good Cup brought together 78 young players under the age groups of 7 and 9, with families and sponsors uniting for a common cause. Partners such as DTSS, Manipal Hospitals, Tata Soulfull, and Peak Performance lent their support to spotlight the challenges faced by premature and critically ill newborns.
Jairam acknowledged the role of sports in fostering community involvement: “Collaborating with South United Football Club is a heartfelt initiative to rally our community for these newborns. We are grateful to our brand partners and participant parents for their unwavering support in helping us make neonatal care more accessible.”SUFC’s CMO and COO, Prerana Dhawan, added: “This event not only raises awareness but also instills the values of teamwork and empathy in our young athletes. Through the Goal for Good Cup, we aim to reduce neonatal mortality by promoting preventive measures and collective responsibility.”As a non-profit organisation, NFI combines hospital partnerships, community fundraising, and donor contributions to create a sustainable model for neonatal care. Beyond funding medical treatment, NFI conducts school and community programmes to educate families about neonatal health and encourage community participation.The foundation has plans to host annual events and establish a rolling trophy to foster continued engagement. “We are taking baby steps towards making a significant impact,” Jairam said, reaffirming NFI’s commitment to saving lives and supporting families in need.The Goal for Good Cup exemplifies NFI’s vision of uniting communities to ensure a brighter and healthier future for premature and critically ill newborns.