Health
Govt urged to train more neonatologists to save newborn lives
Neonatologists are highly specialised doctors who treat complex conditions such as severe birth asphyxia, extreme prematurity and neonatal infections. Since there is a critical gap in neonatologists, Musiime said, currently the mortality among newborn babies is worringly high.
Graduands pose for a group photo after receiving their certificates during the graduation ceremony of the inaugural cohort of the Neonatology Fellowship at Makerere University, marking the completion of their super-specialist training. (Credit: Juliet Kasirye)
By: Juliet Kasirye, Journalist @New Vision
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In a bid to reduce newborn mortality in Uganda, Makerere University dons have recommended that the government, through the health and education ministries, invest in specialised prenatal and neonatal medicine training to strengthen newborn care.
Victor Musiime, who heads the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Makerere University, said Uganda faces a deficit of neonatologists.
"We have a limited workforce equipped with skills in provision of neonatal care services, training, research and advocacy to ensure better health outcomes for all newborns in Uganda," he said mid-week during the graduation ceremony of the inaugural cohort of the Neonatology fellowship held at Makerere University in Kampala.
Neonatologists are highly specialised doctors who treat complex conditions such as severe birth asphyxia, extreme prematurity and neonatal infections.
Since there is a critical gap in neonatologists, Musiime said, currently the mortality among newborn babies is worringly high.
“Today, we have only five neonatologists in the country. We need specialists that can take the lead in the management of newborn babies with health challenges so that they can improve their outcomes, especially reducing their deaths."
The two years of the perinatal and neonatal medicine programme have culminated in five specialists receiving technical skills and knowledge in medical care for newborns in high-risk and normal situations.
The programme, which was established in 2024 through the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, is supported by Seed Global Health in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Makerere University.
It is designed to not only train specialist doctors but also to build sustainable local expertise to strengthen Uganda’s health system from within.
'Still critical'
Wednesday's graduation doubles the number of neonatology specialists in Uganda from five to 10, and marks the first time these highly specialised doctors have been trained locally.
To ensure expectant mothers and newborns receive quality health care, Musiime urged the government to improve capacity with numbers, offer quality service and training and recruit specialised trained personnel.
"The future for newborns is going to improve and drastically reduce neonatal mortality. Previously, we trained five over a period of 10 years. Now, we have doubled the number by five in just two years. We believe this growth will continue so that we have plenty of specialised personnel.”
Irene Atuhairwe, the country director of Seed Global Health, said Uganda has made significant progress in reducing maternal health and child mortality over the years, but preventable deaths among newborns remain a critical challenge.
“Over five years, we have been only able to reduce from 25 to 22 deaths per 1000 live births. This means the challenge is still critical, and we need to double our efforts to enhance the newborn's survival.”
She said the fellowship represents a vital contribution towards building a pipeline of specialised maternal and newborn health leaders in Uganda.
To make a difference and also reduce newborn mortality, Dr Anita Tumwebaze Muhumuza, a graduate fellow in prenatal and neonatal medicine, said the training has enabled her to acquire intensive knowledge and skills in newborn care.
“When it comes to newborn care, patience is key. The training has enabled me to be more patient and persistent because when you are dealing with a newborn, you must be able to think critically and make quick decisions to save lives,” she said.
Muhumuza advised future fellows to be persistent and patient while handling newborns in order to derive satisfaction in seeing a baby they have helped save, grow up and become independent.
Dr Tom Ediamu, a senior paediatrician at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, said he joined the fellowship because there was an increasing demand for highly skilled and trained neonatologists in the country.
“We had a newborn unit, but we were losing very many children. I joined the fellowship to acquire knowledge and skills to be able to perform advanced neonatal procedures and take care of very sick newborns," he said.
The training has equipped him with advanced skills in incubation, central line insertion, surfactant administration, mechanical verification for babies, blood transfusion, among others.
Seed’s programme manager, Dr Andrew Twinamatsiko, said the impact of each trained specialist goes beyond their individual practice. They are already reducing the burden on the referral system, leading neonatal training and mentoring health workers at lower-level facilities within their catchment areas.
The five paediatricians trained come from Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Mulago Specialised Hospitals and Kawempe National Referral Hospital.
“With these qualified specialists, we anticipate a reduction in neonatal mortality due to preventable causes. We partner with government, public universities and child health care by investing in the people and clinical environments that make high-quality care possible,” said Twinamatsiko.
'Still critical'
Wednesday's graduation doubles the number of neonatology specialists in Uganda from five to 10, and marks the first time these highly specialised doctors have been trained locally.
To ensure expectant mothers and newborns receive quality health care, Musiime urged the government to improve capacity with numbers, offer quality service and training and recruit specialised trained personnel.
"The future for newborns is going to improve and drastically reduce neonatal mortality. Previously, we trained five over a period of 10 years. Now, we have doubled the number by five in just two years. We believe this growth will continue so that we have plenty of specialised personnel.”
Irene Atuhairwe, the country director of Seed Global Health, said Uganda has made significant progress in reducing maternal health and child mortality over the years, but preventable deaths among newborns remain a critical challenge.
“Over five years, we have been only able to reduce from 25 to 22 deaths per 1000 live births. This means the challenge is still critical, and we need to double our efforts to enhance the newborn's survival.”
She said the fellowship represents a vital contribution towards building a pipeline of specialised maternal and newborn health leaders in Uganda.
To make a difference and also reduce newborn mortality, Dr Anita Tumwebaze Muhumuza, a graduate fellow in prenatal and neonatal medicine, said the training has enabled her to acquire intensive knowledge and skills in newborn care.
“When it comes to newborn care, patience is key. The training has enabled me to be more patient and persistent because when you are dealing with a newborn, you must be able to think critically and make quick decisions to save lives,” she said.
Muhumuza advised future fellows to be persistent and patient while handling newborns in order to derive satisfaction in seeing a baby they have helped save, grow up and become independent.
Dr Tom Ediamu, a senior paediatrician at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, said he joined the fellowship because there was an increasing demand for highly skilled and trained neonatologists in the country.
“We had a newborn unit, but we were losing very many children. I joined the fellowship to acquire knowledge and skills to be able to perform advanced neonatal procedures and take care of very sick newborns," he said.
The training has equipped him with advanced skills in incubation, central line insertion, surfactant administration, mechanical verification for babies, blood transfusion, among others.
Seed’s programme manager, Dr Andrew Twinamatsiko, said the impact of each trained specialist goes beyond their individual practice. They are already reducing the burden on the referral system, leading neonatal training and mentoring health workers at lower-level facilities within their catchment areas.
The five paediatricians trained come from Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Mulago Specialised Hospitals and Kawempe National Referral Hospital.
“With these qualified specialists, we anticipate a reduction in neonatal mortality due to preventable causes. We partner with government, public universities and child health care by investing in the people and clinical environments that make high-quality care possible,” said Twinamatsiko.