Service levels and infrastructure in 14 African Neonatal Network hospitals
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 HealthAbstract
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 mother-to-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.
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