Health
Govt. Asked to Scale up Successes in Buikwe, Mukono CVDs Interventions to the Rest of the Country
Published
3 years agoon

Africa continues to record the highest prevalence of hypertension globally. Studies show that Uganda’s hypertension prevalence stands at 26.4% and public health experts are worried that rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) should be curbed lest it contributes to the disease burden.
In Africa, just like other low- and middle-income countries, the burden of disease is transitioning from infectious diseases to NCDs and the World Health Organisation predicts that they are likely to become a major health system challenge in Africa as they are predicted to become the leading cause of death in the region by 2030.
Studies estimate Uganda’s NCDs prevalence at 33 in every 100 people die of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The prevalence of hypertension for instance among adults stands at 26.4% with the highest prevalence in central Uganda (28.5%) which hosts Mukono and Buikwe districts.
In Mukono and Buikwe districts, among persons aged 15 years and above, the age standardized prevalence of hypertension is 27.2%.
Makerere University School of Public Health has for close to three (03) years now been impacting the communities in Mukono and Buikwe districts through its project; Cardiovascular Disease prevention program -Scaling -up Packages for Interventions for Cardiovascular diseases prevention in selected sites in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa (SPICES) Uganda.
The SPICES project focuses on prevention of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The project has conducted a comprehensive study at both health facility level and community level where a number of community workers and health workers from randomly selected villages and health facilities in Mukono and Buikwe have been trained in cardiovascular disease prevention and control.
So far, a total of 366 health workers and 80 community health workers (CHWs/VHTs) received training. In addition, the project provided the health centers with equipment to support screening and management of cardiovascular diseases. The project team has, with support of health facilities been involved in screening CVD risk, care and management as well as health promotion and profiling at community level.
As a result of this intervention, there are higher volumes of hypertension and diabetes patients being received as a result of sensitization by the community health workers. There are also reports of changes in behavior in lifestyles especially diet and physical activity as well as improved patient health seeking behaviors for chronic services.
For instance, while presenting results at a dissemination workshop held on December 8th 2021 at Colline Hotel in Mukono district, Dr. Geofrey Musinguzi, the Principal Investigator of the SPICES Project expressed that the project has had significant impact in terms of knowledge changes, and in terms of profiles.

“Much as the prevalence of smoking didn’t seem to change, there was a change in frequency of smoking. For example, those who were smoking daily, we saw a reduction from 2018/19 to 2021,” says Dr. Musinguzi.
He adds that there was a significant difference in passive smoking. “Passive smoking is as dangerous as active smoking. At the baseline, people were smoking and exposing their love ones to tobacco but when they were trained from the health facilities and from the community on the dangers of smoking and passive smoking. So, we have seen an attitude of people in families where people are smoking, of if they can’t avoid smoking, doing it away from their families.”
Arising out of the successes of the project so far, Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, Professor and Dean of Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) has asked government and the Ministry of Health in particular to support noncommunicable diseases care in the districts of Mukono and Buikwe.
Prof. Wanyenze who is also co-principal investigator of the project SPICES project intervention in Mukono and Buikwe could be used as a yardstick to pick lessons for the Ministry of Health to extend the services to other parts of the country.

“We can use this as a learning hub so that we can also get the other regions that do not have the standard for NCD care at the level that we have in these districts. Let us maintain it because it is an opportunity for us to show that it is doable, that we can do something about NCDs and that others can learn something from these districts and facilities and we can do better across the country,” Professor Wanyenze said.
Tereza Ssenjova, a resident of Busabala Mukono said; “I used to be diagnosed with fever, yet I did not have it. Not until recently through SPICES screening that I was told I have high blood pressure and diabetes.”
Prof. Wanyenze urged for the Ministry of Health to rally Ugandans, the leadership at all levels to aggressively advocate for a safer population by preventing and reducing cardiovascular diseases.
“Please do speak about NCDs like the way we speak about COVID-19 lately and the way we have been speaking about other diseases. Encourage people to screen. If there is an opportunity, why not have a machine around you in your place so that you can encourage people to screen periodically. Think of how you can creatively encourage the communities to screen, so that we can discover these diseases early and be able to do something,” says Prof. Wanyenze.
Dr. Gerald Mutungi, assistant Commissioner Health Services- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) department at the Ministry of Health admits that cardiovascular diseases are on a rise but hastens to add that they can be prevented.
“What we have found out is that the communities, once educated, sensitized can come for screening, but also can follow some of the guidelines given to prevent cardiovascular diseases. This has been shown and we have the data now,” Dr. Mutungi says.

Dr. Mutungi welcomes the results and noted that government will scale-up the interventions.
“We are in evidence-based policy and decision making. This is going to influence our policy. We had already started sensitizing VHTs but we were not sure that actually they can play a big role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Now this study is showing that yes, they can. We thought they could only support in distributing bed nets, simple things but they have shown us that they can do a lot in prevention and control of diseases,” he said.
Dr. Musinguzi said the project has had a multi-component intervention including health promotion, screening, training among others.
“We think that this intervention can reach many people. I gave an example of the talking T-Shirt. It has the modifiable risk factors. ‘don’t smoke’, ‘do more exercise’, ‘reduce/avoid alcohol,’ ‘maintain a healthy weight’, ‘go for checkup’ ‘control stress’, ‘eat healthy diet’ among others. In fact, we got reports from VHTs that the messages were received by the population. So, we think all ways of delivering messages must be explored to be able to enhance awareness about CVDs and other NCDs,” Dr. Musinguzi contends.

hailed the SPICES project team for the “wonderful research” and requested the project to include Buvuma and Kayunga districts on the study scope.
“I thank you so much for training the VHTs and our health workers around Mukono and Buikwe districts. This is very good,” said Hajat Nabitaka.
She underscores the need for continued sensitization of the population with a view of changing mindsets to be able to fully realise the benefits.
“Some people think these are diseases of the rich people. Not knowing that even a child in primary school can get diabetes. Not knowing that even an ordinary person in community can get pressure due to the various stress factors. Let us utilize the VHTs to solve many problems including social societal problems such as stress,” Hajat Nabitaka.
Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo, the SPICES Project coordinator said the project has been able to enroll 23 health facilities where it has greatly impacted lives.
He adds that the dissemination is; “a great opportunity to share what we have been doing in field with the rest of the world.”

Some health facilities have have adopted strategies to acquire hypertension and diabetes drugs, and all enrolled facilities are now able to identify and manage Type 1 diabetes, unlike in the past.
SPICES project is currently implemented in Uganda, South Africa, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom. It is an implementation science project funded by the European Commission through the Horizon2020 research and innovation.

Article originally published on MakSPH website.
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Health
New Study Identifies Optimal Waist Cut-Off for Metabolic Syndrome in Ugandan Women
Published
6 days agoon
April 13, 2025
A new study conducted in Wakiso district has determined the ideal waist circumference for detecting metabolic syndrome among Ugandan women. Study findings closely align with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) cut-off for predicting ill health risks.
The researchers at Makerere University’s School of Public Health (MakSPH) aimed to establish an ethnically appropriate waist circumference cut-off point for Ugandan women to enhance early detection and prediction of metabolic syndrome. About 2 in 10 of the women studied in Wakiso district, Uganda, suffer from metabolic syndrome, which is associated with diabetes and heart disease.
Findings indicated that for women aged 18–49 years in the Wakiso district, 80.3 cm is the optimal waist measurement to flag potential metabolic syndrome risks.
The threshold increases with age:
• 79.9 cm for young women (25-34 years)
• 85.6 cm for mid-life (35-44 years)
• 91.1 cm for pre-menopausal women (45-49 years)
Unlike the Body Mass Index (BMI), a calculated measure of weight relative to height used to assess an individual’s weight status and potential health risks, waist measurement better detects dangerous abdominal fat linked to diabetes and heart disease.
Dr. David Lubogo, a lead researcher on this study and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences at Makerere School of Public Health, noted that with hormonal and physiological changes making women particularly vulnerable during reproductive years, these Uganda-specific benchmarks will help clinics identify at-risk patients earlier, using just a measuring tape.
“Our findings confirm waist measurement as a powerful, low-cost tool for preventive care. While aligning with global standards, we have refined thresholds for Uganda’s context,” Dr. David Lubogo notes.
A cross-sectional study was carried out in Wakiso District from June to August 2021, involving 697 randomly selected women aged 15–49. Participants had lived in Wakiso for at least a year and underwent physical, biochemical, and anthropometric tests to help determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). “We excluded pregnant and postpartum women, alcoholics, smokers, and those with chronic or infectious diseases to ensure accurate results,” explained Dr. David Lubogo.
The study, published in PLOS Global Public Health, underscores the importance of age-sensitive screening in tackling metabolic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. In response, health officials in the study area should explore practical ways to weave these findings into everyday programs for community health screening.
The study was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF) and the Strengthening Education and Training Capacity in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SET-SRHR) Project in Uganda. Other investigators included Dr. Henry Wamani, Dr. Roy William Mayega, and Professor Christopher Garimoi Orach.

Health
Makerere University Launches Social Innovation in Health Initiative Community of Practice
Published
6 days agoon
April 13, 2025
Kampala, 09 April 2025— Makerere University has officially launched the Social Innovation in Health Initiative Community of Practice (SIHICOP)—a new platform designed to connect local health innovators with policymakers, donors, and researchers. The goal: to turn scattered success stories into a powerful, nationwide movement that reimagines healthcare from the ground up.
The launch, held during the 6th National Social Innovation in Health Stakeholders’ Workshop at Hotel Africana in Kampala, drew a dynamic mix of changemakers, health innovators, academics, donors, and government leaders, all rallying around one idea: that equitable, sustainable healthcare must be rooted in communities.
While Uganda has made notable progress, cutting under-five deaths by 66% since 2000, challenges remain. Fifty out of every 1,000 children still die before their fifth birthday. Nearly half suffer from stunting due to malnutrition. In rural areas, pregnant women walk for hours to reach clinics. Across the country, hospitals battle frequent drug shortages.
Dr. Phyllis Awor, Director of the SIHI Uganda Hub at Makerere University’s School of Public Health (MakSPH), emphasized the critical role of social innovation in closing healthcare gaps. “Half of Ugandan children lack basic vaccinations, and 40% face stunting. These challenges demand creative, inclusive solutions co-created with communities,” she said.
“We’ve spent a decade identifying, studying, and strengthening grassroots innovations. Through our six-month fellowship program, we train innovators in monitoring and evaluation, research, communication, impact assessment, and fundraising so their work doesn’t just survive but scales,” she said. “Today, we’re awarding them completion certificates and launching them into a vibrant community of practice.”
Dr. Awor, who is also a Lecturer and Researcher maintains Social Innovation is about solving these real problems with real people. With the support of the Swedish Embassy and the World Health Organization’s TDR program, SIHICOP, she says, will foster peer learning, capacity-building, and scaling of innovations like mobile health platforms and community-based maternal care.

Since 2017, Uganda’s SIHI hub has supported 30 homegrown innovations, impacting tens of thousands of lives. “We’ve identified 21 standout solutions so far,” Dr. Awor shared. “But if we want them to go national, we need enabling policies.”
Globally, SIHI was founded in 2014 to bring together innovators, communities, policymakers, and academics across the Global South. With 15 hubs, including Uganda’s, SIHI has documented over 200 innovations and 40 case studies that demonstrate the power of grassroots solutions to improve health systems.
Dr. Olaro Charles, Uganda’s Acting Director General of Health Services, acknowledged that bureaucracy often stifles good ideas. “Sometimes, a small change in how you look at a problem can produce the best and most marketable solution,” he said.
He spoke from experience. As a clinician, Dr. Olaro led efforts to curb drug theft and stockouts by tightening distribution and boosting accountability. “It’s not like people walk off with whole boxes,” he explained. “But if you have 300 employees and each takes just one dose… that adds up. We introduced medicine returns, round-the-clock pharmacies, and ward-level audits. At first, there was resistance, but it worked.”

Another one of his most memorable innovations was setting up a neonatal unit for premature babies while he was a Medical Superintendent. “I remember a baby who weighed less than a kilo, barely six months old, and survived. We pushed survival rates to 85%. Eventually, we ran out of space. We began asking ourselves: Where had these children been going before? Previously, these children may have died within the community. These are innovations that create real, tangible impact. And I’m sure many of the things you’re doing here are creating similar results.”
He urged the Fellows to treat their innovations like living systems: “If they survive infant mortality, they’ll live longer. These ideas deserve to grow.”
Mr. Tomas Lundström, Health Counsellor at the Swedish Embassy, spoke with deep conviction about Sweden’s long-standing investment in Uganda’s future. “For decades, Sweden has believed in Uganda’s greatest asset, its people,” he said. “Through Sida, we funded the training of over 500 Makerere staff for PhDs. I didn’t start it. I didn’t train your PhDs. The Swedish taxpayers actually funded the training. Now that wasn’t just investment; it was transformation. It’s one reason Makerere is the powerhouse it is today.”
Lundström also shared a memory that continues to shape his view of development. While inspecting UNICEF projects in Zambia in 1998, he recalled visiting five villages where only one had shown some success. A driver suggested they visit the last village, the 5th. “We went. No one was there. We waited, then a man came running, covered in dirt. He was the village chief,” Lundström recounted. “He said something I’ve never forgotten: ‘Thomas, when the rainy season comes, we can’t take pregnant women to the clinic. Do you know where I can learn to build a bridge’?”

“That was different from what I usually hear—‘Can we have some money?’ Real change doesn’t come from handouts. It starts within communities.”
But Lundström warned that international aid is under strain. “We’ve already lost a lot of funding from U.S. and other donors. Ukraine, Sudan—global crises are pulling resources away. We must get creative. We must find new ways to secure resources.”
Still, he was optimistic. “We’re seriously considering continued support for another year. We’re also pushing for deeper collaboration between Makerere and Karolinska Institutet. But it’s up to you too,” he said.
He praised Dr. Phyllis Awor and her team: “What sets them apart is not just competence, but passion. She doesn’t do this because it’s her job; she does it because she believes in it. Because everyone deserves a fair chance, a seat at the table, a bit of hope.”
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, echoed those sentiments, describing the School of Public Health as the university’s “engine of change.” He noted that the School contributes to nearly 30% of all university publications—and brings in 40% of its research funding.
“That’s no accident,” he said. “Public health is critical. Without health, there is no progress. That’s why donors invest in public health issues.”

He described the social innovation initiative as a model for how academia and communities can work together, not just to publish but to transform lives. “When global rankings name Makerere the most community-impactful university, they’re recognizing what happens when scholars step beyond lecture halls. This is what happens when researchers dig deep into the ground to cultivate solutions that transcend national boundaries.
The Vice Chancellor also paid tribute to Sweden’s role in that transformation. “We cannot thank the people of Sweden enough. Their support through Sida trained over 500 of our staff to the PhD level—the largest staff development initiative I’ve seen at any university, anywhere. It came when we needed it most, after the war. That’s why Makerere stands today as a leading research institution in Africa.”
He congratulated the 2024/25 Fellows, praising their inspiring journeys, and commended Dr. Awor and her remarkable team of researchers for achieving what only world-class institutions can: “melding razor-sharp academia with the wisdom of villages, policy muscle with frontline innovations.”

Health
Uganda Newborn Programme Shifts the Paradigm of Newborn Care
Published
1 week agoon
April 11, 2025By
Mak Editor
By Joseph Odoi
Every newborn deserves the best start to life. Yet, in Uganda, the burden of newborn morbidity and mortality remains high. The newborn mortality rate stands at 22 deaths per 1000 live births (UDHS 2022). According to most recent UN annual estimates, Uganda records 62,000 deaths around the time of birth. Of these, 32,000 are neonatal deaths, 26,000 are stillbirths and 4,800 are maternal deaths. Majority of the newborn deaths occur within the first week after delivery- a period considered very vulnerable for both the mother and baby.
Uganda’s high fertility rate translates to about 1.7 million births per year; and of these 250,000 babies need special newborn care as they are either born too small or fall sick within the first month of life. This has placed a huge burden on the country and strained the already limited investment for neonatal care.
Despite national efforts, newborn deaths continue to account for nearly half of all under-five deaths in Uganda, according to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2022.
To contribute to addressing this challenge, a coalition of institutions namely; Makerere University School of Public Health, Baylor Foundation Uganda, Adara Development Uganda, Nsambya Hospital, and the Ministry of Health with funding from ELMA Philanthropies launched a national health systems strengthening initiative known as the Uganda Newborn Programme (UNP) in 2022. This program uses a regional approach to improve newborn care in three regions of Uganda namely Kampala, North Central and Western regions.
According to Dr. Monica Okuga, the Uganda Newborn Programme Coordinator at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), the Uganda Newborn Programme (UNP) made huge strides in providing quality newborn care in 36 health facilities across the three regions of Uganda.
Uganda New Born Programme Achievements
‘’Under the UNP, there have been so far many achievements. Institutional neonatal mortality rate has reduced in the facilities where the program is implemented and this has contributed to overall reduction in neonatal mortality in the regions. For example, Institutional neonatal mortality reduced to 7/1000 and 2/1000 live births by the end of Year 2, down from the baseline rates of 8.4/1000 and 11.9/1000 in Bunyoro and Tooro, representing reductions of 16.7% and 85.3% respectively’’ Dr. Okuga stated.

Dr. Okuga further explained that, ‘’Overall asphyxia case fatality rates across program areas have also reduced from 8.9% to 5%; adherence to infection prevention and control measures has improved across the facilities; and the quality of newborn care provided has also improved.
In addition to revamping many newborn care units, Dr. Okuga revealed that the programme supported the construction of newborn care units, citing Kyegegwa Hospital, Buliisa General Hospital, Masindi General Hospital, and Kyangwali HCIV.
In line with the SDGs programme objectives, specifically SDG 3; Good Health and Well-Being, Makerere University School of Public Health, together with partners including the National Planning Authority (NPA), UNICEF, FHI360, and the Ministry of Health, produced the Situation Analysis of Newborn Health in Uganda-2023 update.

This document has now been taken up by the Ministry of Health and is being used to develop a strategy for implementing the suggested recommendations therein, as well as costing the investment for improving newborn health in Uganda.
The previous newborn situation analysis was conducted 17 years ago in 2008’’ she explained of programme contribution at a multi-sectoral level

Establishment of Uganda’s First Breast Milk Bank
Still under this programme, the first ever Breast Milk bank was established at Nsambya hospital with other donor milk satellite sites at Mengo, Rubaga, Kibuli and Naguru hospitals in Kampala. This donor breast milk has benefited over 275 babies across Kampala and its neighboring districts.

Hospital-to-Home (H2H) Initiative
Another innovation that has been scaled up through the programme is the Hospital to Home (H2H) initiative by Adara Uganda. While many newborn interventions focus primarily on in-hospital care, the Uganda Newborn Programme, in partnership with Adara Development Uganda, pioneered the Hospital-to-Home (H2H) Model, extending its newborn care continuum to the household level. This innovative model ensures that high-risk newborns continue to receive vital support after hospital discharge, addressing the gaps in follow-up care that are common in low-resource settings.
According to Beatrice Niyonshaba, Deputy Director of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health at Adara Development; “In Uganda, many families struggle to return for follow-up visits due to cost, transport challenges, and lack of caregiver awareness. The H2H model addresses this by involving caregivers early, equipping them with knowledge on newborn danger signs, and ensuring post-discharge follow-up through community health systems like village health teams.”

She adds, “The model not only reduces post-discharge mortality but also builds trust and ownership among families, which is critical but often an overlooked aspect of newborn survival in low-income settings. ‘’We also run regular community sensitization and awareness initiatives about the causes and survivability of small and sick newborns, preventative measures, as well as the services”. The model was initially piloted at Kiwoko Hospital, with strong support from both healthcare staff and the community. This phase allowed for continuous refinement and strengthening of the model, ensuring it met the needs of both families and healthcare providers.’’ Ms. Niyonshaba explained of the H2H Model uniqueness

Currently, the model is being implemented in Nakaseke hospital, a government facility. This will provide insights for scale up to other government facilities. The programme has seen tremendous success due to the engagement and motivation of CHWs, who are provided with incentives, extensive training, and ongoing support. Regular check-ins and monthly meetings ensure these workers remain accountable and connected to the Programme’s objectives.
Challenges in Newborn Care
According to Dr. Monica Okuga and Prof. Peter Waiswa, the Uganda Newborn Programme team lead from MakSPH, in spite of the many achievements, several challenges persist. They explain that many health facilities in Uganda were built without infrastructure to support Newborn Care Units (NCUs). There are no standard floor plans for these units. In many facilities, the neonatal care units are housed in improvised rooms, while in some cases, completely new NCUs are built.
However, even where NCUs are present, they are often let down by an unstable power supply, despite the fact that most equipment in the NCUs require consistent electricity to function. In addition, there are other health system challenges such as insufficient drug supplies from the government, inadequate staffing, and the low involvement of medical officers in neonatal care. Internal rotation of already trained nurses to other units further worsens the situation. Other issues include untimely or late referrals of mothers and babies, as well as challenges with the low quality of data produced in these units.
In terms of lessons learnt while implementing the UNP, The Uganda Newborn Programme team observed and noted several key lessons during the implementation of the programme
- The importance of leadership engagement in the uptake of interventions is very critical. The leaders to be engaged not only include those at the facility level but also those at the district level. The support of political district leaders such as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is also very crucial. One way of engagement is through sharing performance dashboards with key indicators to the District Health Officers (DHOs), CAO, and Health Facility In-charges.
- There is a need for continuous engagement of district leadership for sustainability in public health facilities, especially the human resource aspect for established Newborn Care Units (NCUs).
- There is a need to intervene across the board/spectrum of the health system. Addressing one challenge, for example, the provision of equipment, may not result in the required benefits without addressing human resources and skills.
- Using a regional approach to care, which includes all hospitals and high-volume health centres, is a more rapid and cost-effective way to scale up maternal and newborn care. It also improves access, quality, and referral, thus reducing unnecessary mortality.
- Regional Local Maternity and Neonatal Systems (LMNS) provide avenues/platforms to share lessons and share feedback to teams/facilities on gaps identified.
- Targeted mentorships not only maintain skills but also support teams in innovating for problem-solving.
- Continuous engagement of medical officers in facilities creates buy-in and brings them on board to support and bridge gaps in newborn care in the neonatal care units.
In terms of sustainability, the team stated that the programme’s design took into account the potential for continuation beyond the initial funding from ELMA Philanthropies. From the outset, the Ministry of Health was actively involved in the co-creation of the programme. The programme also made effective use of existing staff and infrastructure to enhance the quality of newborn care. While there was occasional catalytic provisions of drugs and equipment, the programme primarily relied on the government’s drug supply and delivery systems to ensure long-term sustainability.
About The Uganda Newborn Programme (UNP)
The Uganda Newborn Programme (UNP) has been actively working since its launch in July 2022, with the goal of significantly improving the care for small and sick newborns across the country. With support from ELMA Philanthropies, the programme has brought together a consortium of partners, including Makerere University School of Public Health, Baylor Uganda, Adara Uganda, and Nsambya Hospital, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
The programme is focusing on 20 high-burden districts across three regions of Uganda ie Western, Kampala, and North-Central, serving approximately 1.5 million births annually. Since its inception, the programme has been making strides in enhancing the capacity of health facilities, including the refurbishment and equipping of 30 specialized neonatal care units. These units are designed to meet the needs of small and sick newborns, in line with the National Essential Newborn Care (NEST) Toolkit.
Key activities that have been rolled out include
- Training and mentorship of Health Workers; More than 800 health workers have been trained and mentored in essential neonatal care practices such as neonatal resuscitation, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and infection prevention and control. This has significantly improved the clinical competencies of healthcare providers in the management of small and sick newborns.
- Strengthening Infection Prevention and Control; The programme has focused on improving infection control measures at hospitals, which is critical in managing the high rates of sepsis and other infections among newborns.
- Effective implementation of newborn resuscitation and warm transport: This includes establishing standardized protocols and providing essential equipment like mabu bags plus masks, CPAP machines
- Improving Data Utilization; Efforts have also been made to ensure that health workers are using data-driven evidence for decision-making. Monthly perinatal death audits and support for data quality review have allowed for continuous improvement in service delivery.
- Enhanced Postnatal Care; Community-based postnatal care using Village Health Teams (VHTs) being trained to conduct home visits for newborns discharged from neonatal units. This helps ensure that infants receive timely follow-up care in the critical days after discharge.
The programme is set to run up to July 2025, and by then, it aims to have reached 120,000 small and sick newborns, helping to reduce newborn mortality by 40% in the target regions.
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