...from small pips grow big ideas...
KEEPING BABIES WARM
Special Care Baby (Neonatal) Units look after many babies who are very small and premature. These small babies cannot regulate their own body temperature and often become very cold - and if they become cold, they are much more likely to die. If we can help them to remain warm, they are much more likely to survive. In fact, a study in nearby Mulago hospital, Kampala showed that hypothermia is known to be a factor in 29% of deaths of small babies so if we can keep all our babies warm in Jinja we can help to save around 10 babies' lives a month!
50p will buy a lightbulb for the van Hemel incubator
£2 will buy a neonatal hat and blanket
£10 will buy hot water packs that are used to keep babies and incubators warm when the power cuts out
£10 will buy solar powered thermometers allowing regular monitoring (by parents and nursing staff) of neonatal temperatures
£400 will buy a van Hemel incubator and deliver it to Uganda
There are many ways to keep these babies warm:
Natural warmth
Teaching the importance of Kangaroo Mother Care to all parents and carers was a priority for us when we worked there.
Clothing
To aid in that, we aim to give small and early babies a warm hat as well as a blanket.
Equipment
Ideally babies should sleep in specially designed incubators (heated by a simple electric light bulb) - there are not enough of these and therefore we are fundraising to buy one for the baby room in the children's hospital.
Hot water packs can also be used when the power cuts out and have proved popular with the sisters in the Neonatal Unit.
Monitoring
Lastly, a project which remains close to our hearts is emphasising the importance of regular monitoring (often by the mothers and fathers who are with their babies) ensures they remain within a lifesaving temperature range. For this, the solar powered thermometers we brought with us have been invaluable.
