The partnership project between the Medical Center of the University of Munich and the Paediatric Department at Jimma University in Ethiopia builds on an established project in the field of paediatric surgery and aims to give doctors and nurses in Jimma access to initial and continuous neonatal training.
Background:
Ethiopia has a high infant mortality rate of around 55 per 1,000 live births. Although the expansion of basic capacities in perinatal health care has brought about an improvement, neonatal care is in scarce supply as there are no trained neonatologists in Jimma. Newborns in the delivery room often do not survive because hospital staff lack the necessary expertise and basic postnatal care is not provided.
Activities:
- Providing training in neonatal skills for multipliers, every 2-3 months for around ten days
- Reviewing knowledge transfer and practical teaching through workplace evaluations
- Transferring knowledge and experience through the temporary placement of Ethiopian staff in Munich
Impact:
The aim of the specialist training is to improve neonatal care in Jimma and to reduce infant mortality and physical disabilities in children in Ethiopia in the long term. The training of the multipliers also benefits students undergoing further education and training, which boosts the project’s long-term impact.