Innovation doesn’t always mean expensive technology — sometimes, it’s about finding smart, low-cost solutions that make a real difference. In Uganda, neonatal nurses are proving that creativity and teamwork can save lives even in the most resource-limited settings.
Many neonatal units face challenges such as equipment shortages, unstable power supply, and limited space. Yet, through innovation, health workers continue to find practical answers. For example, some hospitals are using locally made incubators and baby warmers that cost a fraction of imported ones. Others use solar-powered devices to maintain essential care when electricity fails.
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) — a method where mothers keep their preterm babies skin-to-skin — is another brilliant, low-cost innovation that has transformed outcomes for newborns. Nurses across Uganda have trained parents to use KMC at home, improving bonding and survival rates.
The Uganda Neonatal Nurses Association (UNNA) encourages nurses to share such innovations and supports research that evaluates what works best in the Ugandan context. Through workshops and exchange programs, members learn from each other and spread successful practices across hospitals.
Innovation also extends to how care is organized — improving communication, using digital tools for follow-up, or developing checklists that guide safe neonatal practices. Every small step matters when it saves a life.
As UNNA continues to grow, it remains committed to transforming neonatal care through passion and innovation. Together, Uganda’s neonatal nurses are not only caregivers — they are change-makers shaping a brighter future for every newborn.
