Makerere University Graduates First Ugandan Neonatologists to Combat Newborn Mortality

Uganda is making strides in tackling its concerning neonatal mortality rates with the graduation of the first group of locally trained neonatologists from Makerere University. This development is a crucial part of the Ministry of Health’s intensified efforts to reduce the number of infant deaths, which currently stand at around 32,000 annually.

Previously, Uganda relied on foreign-trained specialists, a situation described as critical by Dr. Richard Mugahi, Commissioner for Reproductive and Child Health at the Ministry of Health. With only five neonatologists available to serve a population of over 50 million, the need for local expertise was paramount. The Ministry now aims to train a total of 40 neonatologists, ensuring at least one specialist is available in every region.

Breathing complications, particularly among premature infants, are a leading cause of newborn deaths. Dr. Mugahi highlighted the importance of specialized treatments like surfactant therapy, a drug that aids premature babies’ lungs but comes at a significant cost for ordinary families. He urged the government to consider making this essential medication freely available in all public hospitals.

Beyond doctors, the country also faces a deficit in trained neonatal nurses and adequate infrastructure for neonatal intensive care units. The Uganda Paediatric Association noted that while training specialists abroad was an option, it was prohibitively expensive. The new local training program, though still an investment, offers a more sustainable solution. Globally, neonatal deaths account for a substantial portion of under-five mortality, with the majority occurring within the first week of life.

[https://www.monitor.ug/uganda/news/national/makerere-trains-first-homegrown-neonatologists-to-curb-newborn-deaths-5575724]