Project Lead(s): Gertrude Namazzi, Darius Kajjo
In Uganda, poverty, lack of knowledge and long distances to health facilities hinder access to newborn care services.
This project will overcome some of these barriers for the most vulnerable infants to ensure full childhood brain development. A foot length card for community health workers to identify preterm and low birth weight babies, along with a danger-sign screening card, will help identify sick newborns and improve their referral to health facilities for quality care. Delivery details of both children born at health facilities as well as information of high-risk newborns will be linked to Geographic Information System (GIS) to help health providers reach every high-risk baby and provide ongoing care and monitor growth and proper brain development.
It is anticipated that over 1,100 infants will be screened, identifying an estimated 200 children who will be linked to appropriate care and monitoring.