At the Neonatal Unit at Tororo General Hospital in Uganda, a revolution in healthcare is underway. Thanks to the implementation of NoviGuide, a ground-breaking digital tablet-based clinical decision support tool developed by the Global Strategies for frontline healthcare professionals and implemented by the Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), midwives are now equipped with the knowledge and confidence necessary to save the lives of even the smallest, most fragile babies.
Before NoviGuide, the neonatal unit faced a significant challenge–a lack of specialised knowledge and training. Small babies requiring immediate care were often left waiting for doctors to review their cases, leaving the midwives feeling helpless and anxious. The delay in treatment proved to be a matter of life and death for some infants.
Fast forward to today, and the impact of NoviGuide on the unit is undeniable. “NoviGuide has made me very confident to care for even small babies,” says a dedicated midwife at Tororo General Hospital, “We see these sick babies as soon as their mothers bring them. Before NoviGuide, we used to wait for the doctor to review the sick babies because we did not know what to do.”
NoviGuide has transformed the role of midwives in the neonatal unit. Armed with this comprehensive digital tool, they can initiate treatment and provide crucial care to new-borns, reducing the reliance on doctors for every case. The workload of the paediatrician has also been significantly lightened, allowing her more time to review and treat complicated cases in the neonatal unit.
“The introduction of NoviGuide has not only improved the quality of care provided to our youngest patients but has also resulted in tangible outcomes,” The midwife shares, “Our unit has witnessed a significant decrease in infant mortality and referrals. It is an incredible achievement that we owe to IDRC for bringing us NoviGuide.”
Through the tireless efforts of IDRC, NoviGuide has been developed as a user-friendly, tailored solution to empower midwives with the critical knowledge they need to save lives. This revolutionary digital tool encompasses evidenced-based guidelines, clinical protocols, and interactive modules continuously updated by leading experts in the field.
Tororo General Hospital’s success story is a powerful example of how technology can revolutionise healthcare in resource-constrained settings. NoviGuide has empowered midwives, shaping them into confident healthcare professionals. It has also been instrumental in significantly reducing infant mortality rates and the need for referrals in the neonatal unit.
As more healthcare facilities embrace technological advancements like NoviGuide, there is hope for a brighter future where every baby receives the best possible care from skilled and empowered healthcare providers regardless of their circumstances. Tororo General Hospital’s success is just the beginning, and the impact of NoviGuide can potentially transform neonatal care.
