Ugandan health workers in Hospitals and Health Centre IVs will now have a document to refer to when managing small and sick newborns.
The Pocket Guide for Management of Small and Sick Newborns in Health Centre IVs and Hospitals was launched by the chairperson of the National Newborn Steering Committee Dr Margaret Nakakeeto at the recently concluded 15th annual Uganda Paediatric Association conference.
Dr Nakakeeto emphasised the importance of these guidelines and was positive about its impact in changing the trends of management of sick newborns and their survival in the country.
One health worker from one of the hospitals in the country said, “Many health workers are afraid to manage sick newborns because we are not sure of what to do. We instead refer them to the nearest regional referral hospital. Now that guidelines are available, we will manage the babies in our facilities.”
Coming at a time when Uganda is currently considering rolling out newborn care units in hospitals countrywide, these guidelines will therefore be an added boost in the confidence of health workers when caring for these newborns.
With support from the Ministry of Health, the guidelines were developed by the Uganda Paediatric Association with funding from Save the Children and ELMA Philanthropists through the Centre of Excellence for Maternal and Newborn Health at Makerere University School of Public Health.