The joint project being implemented by the German Institute for Medical Mission (DIFAEM) and Ganta United Methodist Hospital in northeastern Liberia aims to improve obstetric medicine and neonatal care in the regions of Nimba, Lofa and Bong. The project builds on a previous hospital partnership which laid the foundations for neonatal resuscitation and trained a pool of trainers in all three regions.
Background:
In Liberia, over 20% of neonatal deaths are attributed to premature births, and additional neonatal deaths are caused by complications during labour. The Ebola virus epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic have undone much of the progress achieved in the area of mother-and-child health. For this reason, the capacities of the three partner hospitals need to be strengthened through the provision of medicine and equipment as well as through training for hospital staff.
Activities:
-\tProvision of essential equipment
-\tAdvanced training in the care of newborn and premature infants
-\tMonitoring of the agreed changes in the hospitals
-\tAdvice for the individual hospitals on improving emergency care
Impact:
The implementation of the project activities will optimise emergency care procedures in the long term. Because the project will be implemented in three hospitals, neonatal mortality will be reduced in the three districts.