Physical Health Uganda Project #45267

Centre of excellence for newborn care in Uganda

by Born on the Edge

Project Report | Oct 10, 2022
Namutosi & Chelangat

By Adam Hewitt Smith | Trustee, Born on the Edge

We are delighted to share with you two stories that demonstrate the work we do, but the space is so squeezed we struggle to fit all our tiny babies in and alongside these success stories are many sad and frustrating deaths. We continue to fundraise towards our new neonatal unit and thank you for your support.

Namutosi

"When I was told I was going to be operated on before my due date, I did not think my baby would make it. I was very scared of what would happen. When I got to the neonatal unit I was worried when I saw my baby on a breathing machine (CPAP), and kept asking the doctors why my baby had to stay on it for so long.

Early on, I had a big challenge with my caretakers (the people helping me in hospital), as they weren’t following the advice of the neonatal team and rules of the neonatal unit. They had given up on my baby and wanted us to be discharged.

I finally managed to make it to the neonatal unit and took charge of my baby and this really made a difference. The team explained what was expected of me and encouraged me to take an active role in the care of my baby.

The rules on hygiene and infection prevention in the neonatal unit were very strict and sometimes hard to follow. But I now understand that it was all to protect our babies from the different illnesses that can be spread by poor hygiene. Up to now I keep strict hygiene before handling my baby and it has really helped.

I really want to encourage other mothers in eastern Uganda, who might deliver preterm babies, not to give up on their babies. If they bring them to the neonatal unit, the team will care for and treat their baby. All that they need to do is follow the strict feeding and hygiene rules and their baby will also make it.

Thank you to the team of the neonatal unit for taking care of my baby, I didn’t think I would go home with a live baby. I am so very grateful.” - Namutosi

Chelangat

“I am so very happy for my baby to be discharged from the hospital today. Before delivering this baby I had never seen a baby this small. He was just 900g. My husband and I were very worried. Immediately we delivered the baby in Kapchorwa district we were referred to Mbale since they said they could not handle a baby this size there. They had no machines to help the baby breathe and the weather is much colder in Kapchorwa than Mbale. We were worried that the cold would be bad for our baby. Our experience in the neonatal unit in Mbale was a great one, we were immediately received and handled by the staff here.

The strict rules were a challenge but we were explained to the reason why we needed to follow all those rules to help protect our baby from infection.

Over the 5 weeks we have been here, my husband and I have learned how to do kangaroo care. We enjoy the feeling of closeness to our baby. We were told that it would help keep the baby warm and for him to grow.

My husband and I are very happy with how our baby has grown now. He can take milk very well and is gaining weight.

I encourage mothers who have such small babies to bring them here as I know they will be taken good care of them. With this neonatal unit, there is hope for small babies like mine to survive. We are very grateful to the neonatal team and pray that God continues to bless them.” - Chelengat

Please continue to share our work with your friends and colleagues so that they too can experience our inspiring stories.

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