Each year, about one-tenth of all newborns in Lithuania are born at Vilnius City Clinical Hospital, with around 4% arriving prematurely. This means hundreds of first cries, first touches, and the beginnings of new family stories. However, for some infants, the first minutes of life are not only emotional, but critically important — it is during this time that it is determined whether a baby will be able to breathe independently, maintain a stable body temperature, and successfully adapt to a new environment.

At the hospital’s Neonatal Unit, modern equipment for newborn warming, resuscitation, and non-invasive respiratory therapy has now been officially delivered. This is not merely a technical upgrade, but real support in situations where every second counts. The donation will significantly strengthen care for premature babies and newborns with respiratory disorders. The equipment was donated by the Fenix Charity Fund together with its partner, WALLETTO.

The Director of Vilnius City Clinical Hospital, Dr. Aušra Bilotienė Motiejūnienė, emphasizes that the quality of maternity and neonatal care is one of the institution’s key strategic priorities, as this is the most sensitive and important stage of life.

“Childbirth and the first hours of a baby’s life are moments families remember for a lifetime. That is why it is important to us that Vilnius City Clinical Hospital is not only professional, but also a place of human warmth and safety, where mothers feel heard and newborns feel protected. By investing in advanced neonatal care, we are truly investing in the future of our city — in every new life whose journey begins here. The equipment delivered today further strengthens this promise: to stand by families from a baby’s very first breath and ensure that it is safe,” says the hospital’s director.

The Fenix charitable foundation notes that modern neonatal equipment is essential for saving lives and ensuring better long-term health outcomes for premature infants.

“Modern neonatal care equipment is crucial to saving lives and improving long-term health outcomes for premature babies,” says Agata Baj, CEO of Fenix. “This project reflects our deep commitment to the most vulnerable members of our community — newborns and their families. Every contribution helps bridge the gap between hospitals’ urgent needs and the advanced care these children deserve. By partnering with organizations such as WALLETTO, we are not only strengthening medical capabilities today, but also building a more resilient healthcare system for the future.”

WALLETTO also joined this meaningful initiative as the main sponsor and project partner. This is not the first joint project between the organizations — their cooperation has previously supported hospitals in Kaunas and Šiauliai, where initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare services were implemented. The current support in Vilnius further expands this partnership and reflects a consistent commitment to the systematic support of healthcare institutions in Lithuania.

“This project is very personal to us. WALLETTO is a Lithuanian company, and we firmly believe that supporting Lithuanian hospitals is an important part of our social mission. Investing in neonatal care means investing in our country’s future. We are proud to support Vilnius City Clinical Hospital and to work together with Fenix to strengthen healthcare where it matters most,” says Ineta Mačinskienė, CEO of WALLETTO.

Dr. Rasa Garunkštienė, Head of the Neonatal Unit, reminds that in intensive care, decisions are often made within minutes, which is why technological reliability, precision, and speed are vital.

“The new warming and resuscitation unit creates a safe environment for infants at the most critical moments, while the non-invasive respiratory therapy system supports lung function without causing additional trauma. This helps ensure that treatment is not only effective, but also as gentle as possible,” the doctor explains.

According to medical professionals, modern neonatal equipment helps reduce the risk of long-term complications and creates conditions for newborns to recover more quickly. The equipment delivered today will strengthen the Neonatal Unit’s ability to provide the highest level of care from the very first seconds of life and will bring greater peace of mind to families whose children are born facing additional health challenges.

The equipment handover event was attended by Darius Taminskas, Deputy Director for Infrastructure, and Božena Markevič, Deputy Director for Clinical Affairs, who thanked the sponsors for their important support and emphasized the long-term significance of investing in neonatal care.