The introduction of ETAT+, an instrument for triaging sick children and running paediatric emergency and admission processes, is at the heart of the partnership between the ETAT+ working group of the German Society of Tropical Paediatrics and International Child Health (GTP) e.V. and the Burundi ETAT Collaborative. The partnership also involves Mercy Surgeons and Uzima Association, two Burundian organisations working in the medical sector. \r
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Background: \r
The mortality rate for children under five in Burundi stands at 47 in every 1,000 live births, which is around 50 per cent higher than the African average. The ETAT (Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment) guidelines support paediatric emergency care staff with identifying children in acute, life-threatening situations, and provide simple, clear instructions on treating these patients.\r
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Activities:\r
-\tDevelopment of ETAT training materials that are adapted to needs in Burundi\r
-\tDelivery of five-day ETAT training courses, supplemented with practical training\r
-\tIntroduction of ETAT as an instrument for triaging sick children and running paediatric emergency and admission processes in the Burundian health system\r
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Impact: \r
Over 50 hospital staff members have participated in ETAT training. Their newly acquired knowledge should enable them to reduce by one third the time taken for young patients to receive emergency treatment in the form of oxygen, fluids or glucose.