Centre of excellence for newborn care in Uganda

It is sometimes easy to forget how much hard work goes into fundraising towards the multitude of worthy causes around the world. This is never more true than during the current COVID-19 pandemic with its national lockdowns and huge drop in economic output. We have set an ambitious target to raise the money we need to build a new neonatal unit in eastern Uganda. However when you understand more about the desperate need it should not take much persuasion to support our work. 

We started over five years ago when almost half of all newborn babies who were admitted to the hospital died. Through the hard work of our neonatal lead in Uganda, her team of neonatal clinical officers and neonatal nurses and the support of Mbale Regional Referral hospital we have come a long way. The journey that started with a neonatal unit designed for 10 mothers and their babies has now been overwhelmed by the demand. Over 50 mothers and their babies squeeze into that same tiny space. 

During the COVID-19 lockdown we initially saw a drop in the admissions because mothers were unable to travel to the hospital but since that first week, our babies have continued to become sick or be born too small and too soon. We cannot stay at home and isolate, our hardworking team must continue through this challenging time. 

Two of the most important aspects of reducing the spread of illnesses like COVID-19 are handwashing and social distancing. This is impossible in our current ward. All 50 mothers share one small sink for handwashing and they squeeze together on the ward preventing sensible social distancing.

Your support towards a new neonatal unit will have such a significant impact on the care we are able to give our newborns, it is hard to describe. Please share our story far and wide and encourage your friends and family to support this life saving project.