Innovative new units to prevent child deaths

INFANT mortality is expected to significantly decline in Zimbabwe, as the country’s largest referral hospital, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, will soon open an immediate kangaroo mother care unit and paediatric theatre to cater for premature babies and their mothers.

Health experts say these innovations are “revolutionary” and will reduce the infant mortality rate that — according to the United Nations Children’s Fund — currently stands at about 50 deaths per every 1 000 live births.

Set up at an estimated cost of US$500 000 and $130 000, respectively, the IKMC and theatre will start operating in June this year.

The IKMC is a novel innovation that will operate as an intensive care unit, accommodating both mother and baby.

Instead of placing a new-born preterm baby in an incubator soon after delivery, the infant is immediately placed on the mother’s chest to receive necessary treatment that includes ventilation, antibiotics and intravenous fluids.

In addition, the infants are expected to stay in the delivery suit for an hour after being born while obstetricians and midwives monitor the mother in case of bleeding.

After the obstetricians and midwives are satisfied with the condition of the mother, she and the baby will be transferred to the neonatal unit, where it will stay on the mother’s chest for at least 18 hours.

The new innovation is a shift from the method where pre-term babies were placed in incubators before being introduced to kangaroo care when they weighed at least 1 300 grammes, off intravenous fluids and oxygen.