Service levels and infrastructure in 14 African Neonatal Network hospitals

Authors

  • Pamela Henderson
  • Alexander G. Stevenson
  • Veronica Moses
  • Benenia Muzuva
  • Mahlet Abayneh
  • Olufunke Bolaji
  • Melissa Muparamoto
  • Tendai Mutema
  • John Baptist Nkuranga
  • Victoria Nakibuuka
  • Helina Selam
  • Misrak Tadesse
  • Redeat Workneh Tadesse
  • Erika M. Edwards
  • Danielle E.Y. Ehret
  • Iyabode Olabisi Florence Dedeke

Keywords:

Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Neonatal Intensive Care Units; Hospitals / organization and administration; Health Facilities/standards; Health Resources; Health Equipment and Supplies; Medical Equipment; Africa South of the Sahara; Global Health

Abstract

Background: Hospitals across Africa are diverse in terms of infrastructure, available medical technology, and the range of services provided. Many hospitals in Africa face ongoing challenges related to inadequate equipment, frequent breakdowns due to poor 
maintenance, and irregular supplies of commodities.
Methods: Fourteen hospitals in the African Neonatal Network responded to an annual facility survey and a health facility survey co-developed by faculty in the African Neonatal Network and Vermont Oxford Network. All analyses use descriptive statistics. 
Results: The hospitals varied in service level and included a mix of public, private, and faith-based institutions mostly located in cities or large towns. The median total bed capacity was 34. The median annual deliveries across the hospitals were 3583 (Q1:1800,
Q3:4369).All hospitals reported being able to provide continuous positive airway pressure, supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula, essential newborn care and neonatal resuscitation at delivery, kangaroo mother care, intravenous antibiotics, prevention of motherto-child HIV transmission, and supplemental feeds via cup or nasogastric tube.
Conclusions: The 14 hospitals reported experiencing shortages of necessary equipment, beds, technicians, medications, and tests,  similar  to other hospitals in low- and middle-income countries. Reducing neonatal mortality to meet the United Nations’  Sustainable Development neonatal mortality goal of 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030 will require significant investment in neonatal units, as it is likely that the demand for services will only continue to grow.

Author Biographies

  • Pamela Henderson

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Alexander G. Stevenson

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Veronica Moses

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Benenia Muzuva

    Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital,
    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Mahlet Abayneh

    St Paul's Hospital Millennium
    Medical College, Addis Ababa,
    Ethiopia

  • Olufunke Bolaji

    Federal Teaching Hospital,
    Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria

  • Melissa Muparamoto

    Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital,
    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Tendai Mutema

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe

  • John Baptist Nkuranga

    University of Rwanda/African
    Health Sciences University, Kigali,
    Rwanda

  • Victoria Nakibuuka

    St. Francis Nsambya Hospital,
    Kampala, Uganda

  • Helina Selam

    Vermont Oxford Network,
    Burlington, Vermont, USA

  • Misrak Tadesse

    Vermont Oxford Network and Johns
    Hopkins School of Medicine,
    Baltimore, Maryland, USA

  • Redeat Workneh Tadesse

    St Paul's Hospital Millennium
    Medical College, Addis Ababa,
    Ethiopia

  • Erika M. Edwards

    Vermont Oxford Network and
    University of Vermont, Burlington,
    Vermont, USA

  • Danielle E.Y. Ehret

    Vermont Oxford Network and
    University of Vermont, Burlington,
    Vermont, USA

  • Iyabode Olabisi Florence Dedeke

    Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta,
    Nigeria

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Published

2025-08-05

How to Cite

Service levels and infrastructure in 14 African Neonatal Network hospitals. (2025). JOURNAL OF AFRICAN NEONATOLOGY, 3(3), 120-129. https://janeonatology.org/index.php/jan/article/view/183

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