Uganda named top performer in newborn survival gains

KAMPALA - Uganda has been ranked among the top performers in improving newborn survival in Eastern and Southern Africa, alongside Ethiopia, according to the latest Countdown to 2030 UN report.

Dr Richard Mugahi, the commissioner Reproductive and Child Health Department, described this progress as commendable but cautioned that more effort is needed to meet global targets.

“To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target by 2030, Uganda must improve its current rate of newborn survival threefold,” he said. “This will enable the country to reduce newborn deaths to less than 12 per 1,000 live births, he said.

He was addressing a large gathering at the launch of caffeine citrate Peyona (20mg/ml), a drug developed to treat premature babies suffering from apnea, a condition that causes breathing difficulties in premature infants.

During the launch at Four Points Hotel in Kampala, Mugahi added that by the end of the year, all health centres are expected to have fully functional newborn care units.

Unlike previous versions of caffeine citrate that were mainly administered intravenously, Peyona, distributed by the Ministry of Health, Philips Pharmaceuticals and Chiesi, can also be given orally, making it easier to use in various healthcare settings.

Florence Mabic, Senior Director Global Health Execution in the Chiesi group, interacts with Pierfrancesco Marsiaji, Italian Embassy Economic Attache, during the launch of caffeine citrate Peyona (20mg/ml) in Uganda. (Credit: Violet Nabatanzi)

It is also packaged in a larger volume, allowing healthcare providers to administer adequate doses to more patients efficiently.

“We have had other brands of caffeine citrate on the market, but not Peyona,” Dr Mugahi explained. “This addition increases the range of options available and improves access to life-saving treatment.”

Records put preterm births in Uganda at about 200,000 annually.

The Chief Executive Officer Philips Pharmaceuticals Uganda, Ani Prajith, emphasised that innovative healthcare solutions are expected to improve newborn care.

Florence Mabic, Senior Director Global Health Execution in the Chiesi group, explained that the newly introduced caffeine citrate formulation is recognised by the World Health Organisation as an essential medicine for treating apnea of prematurity.

“We want to guarantee accessibility, affordability, and availability and system readiness,” Mabic said.