Jaramogi Oginga hospital receives life-saving equipment for preterm babies

By Peter Ochieng

The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu has received life-saving equipment for preterm babies.

The facility received a donation of 20 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, 40 oxygen blenders and accompanying accessories from USAID to support preterm babies.

20 pulse oximeters are expected to arrive in the coming days, further enhancing the facility's ability to monitor and care for the babies.

The gesture came days after the World Prematurity Day, marked on November 17 themed, “Over 13 million babies born prematurely every year, access to quality care everywhere.”

CPAP machines designed to assist neonates with breathing difficulties, use an invasive air circulation method to administer oxygen and maintain open airways. According to nurse Anne Akama, in charge of the newborn unit, the machines are a game-changer in neonatal care.

“With CPAP machines, preterm babies who struggle to breathe on their own can now receive the support they need right after birth, greatly improving survival rates and long-term outcomes,” she said.

Beason Soita, the CPAP champion at JOOTRH who received the equipment alongside Nurse Akama, the donation marks a turning point for the facility's newborn unit.

“These devices will aid in monitoring preterm babies continuously and respond to their needs in real-time, significantly improving outcomes for these newborns,” he shared.

The introduction of CPAP machines at the newborn unit, she said, will offer several critical advantages to preterm babies.

These include enhanced breathing support, reduction in complications and improved survival rates.

Additionally, the oxygen blenders will ensure the oxygen administered to neonates is at the correct concentration.

Previously, the hospital relied on high-flow oxygen, which posed risks of oxygen toxicity.