The past week has been spent speaking about the plight of newborns to anyone who will listen.As we spent some time at the Presbyterian Hospital in Agogo, we spoke to some nurses with the intention of further expanding our Friends of Newborns Group. Special thanks second year Physician Assitant students of PUC, to Leila( Paediatric Nurse), Esther(Nursing Student) and Kingsley(SRC Vice President of Agogo Nursing Training School) for taking the time to listen to us
As part of our efforts at ensuring financial sustainability we have started preliminary work on a proposed health facility to be situated in Savelugu in Northern Ghana.This is intended to be an addition to our initial efforts at setting up a medical laboratory. Discussions with the Landlord are almost through. Last week we were honored to have an experienced physician assistant to visit the facility and give some input.
What next? To finalize initial period of rent (two or three years with Landlord whiles ensuring we have enough funds to start operations).Registration documents are also being processed.
Our Second Parents Class of the Year was organized at the Bilpela health Center last Wednesday. This was the first at this particular facility. Forty-two (42) parents were educated on neonatal jaundice. We wish to thank the facility in-charge and our volunteers for a great work done.
What next? We are looking forward to three more sessions this week.
Last Friday 16th may,we organized our first parental education Class for the year. The venue was the Regional Child Health Clinic(RCH) in Tamale.Over 40 women attended and the topic was Neonantal Jaundice.
Last week was a rather busy one in all fronts.
First we have been working on our expansion to the Upper East Region. Our hardworking officers Mr. Bernard Essien and Mr.Frank Awuah Brobbey visited the Upper East region where they met up with the Regional director of Health Services and some of his staff,Meeting was fruitful and will be conclude with a discussion with the Health Administration’s ICT team this week.Hopefully up to 10 new facilities should be added by the end of this week.
As Mr Essien and Brobbey were busy in the Upper East, I took the opportunity to work on the modalities of our soon to be launched Olsson Newborn Grant in Kumasi.Preliminary designs have been done and the website is being modified for the purpose.Special thanks to social welfare staff at KATH,namely Seth,Millicent,Aneta and Eunice who have graciously offered to support the operations of the Olsson Grant
On saturday,we had an in service training for our staff on project management.we look forward to a great week ahead.Thank you all for your support
Friday 7th Feb 2014 10:31pm….. I hope to close the week by bringing everyone up to speed regarding our activities in the past week.
ESSENTIAL MEDICATION AND GRANT PACKAGE…….Why do we call ourselves “the Neonatal NETWORK SUPPORT SYSTEM?” This is a question I have heard many times.Why the long name? Well it is because of activities like this!Aside our primary focus of phone-based networking,we aim to bring together all the PEOPLE and THINGS(equipments,medication) that matter in newborn health to a location that is within everyone’s reach…..we network all the essentials to make support available!
On thursday,one such objective was achieved with the purchase of $100 worth of caffeine citrate( a medication for newborn respiratory problems) from Southern Ghana for use by facilities in Northern Ghana.Hitherto this has not been available there! Read more about the medication below
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/578751
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/578751_9
Today(Friday) we started preliminary discussions with some social welfare staff on how we can work together with our soon-to-be outdoored newborn health Grant.
EARLIER IN THE WEEK AND HAPPENING NOW…..We have also started a drive to get some phones to expand our call network.We do not have all the money to buy the 100 new phones we require.What do we do..fold our hands and wait for a donor? No way! We have started with what we can get…our friends are donating their old phones they no longer need…thankfully WE GOT ONE SUCH PHONE TODAY. HURRAY!!!
Currently we have a renowned Ghanaian journalist on the field in Tamale doing a feature story on our activities.It is our hope that this story will put the spotlight on newborn survival in Ghana
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Have a great weekend everyone!
TUESDAY 4TH FEB,2014…9.30PM…..I HAD BARELY ENTERED HOME AFTER RETURNING FROM THE HOSPITAL WHEN MY PHONE RINGS.I CHECK TO SEE….YAPEI HEALTH CENTRE CALLING.
I CALL THE MIDWIFE BACK ON THEIR NNSS LINE TO SEE WHAT THE MATTER IS. A WOMAN PRESENTED TO HER IN LABOUR BARELY 30 MINS AGO.SHE EXAMINES AND REALIZES CHILD IS COMING OUT WITH THE HANDS FIRST (TRANSVERSE LIE). SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES AT THE HEALTH CENTER TO DEAL WITH THIS.SHE HAS TO REFER THE CASE TO A HIGHER CENTER.
I ASK WHETHER SHE CALLED THE AMBULANCE SERVICE.NO IS THE ANSWER.THE RELATIVES HAVE DECLINED THE OFFER.THEY PREFER TO USE A PICK UP INSTEAD!HAVE NO IDEA WHY THEY WILL REJECT THE OFFER.COST? IS IT DELAY?
THROUGH OUR NETWORK WE QUICKLY GET AUTHORITIES INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE EMBARKED ON THE 30 MIN DRIVE TO TAMALE.
WE ARE ONLY GRATEFUL THAT OUR CALL NETWORK IS HELPING THESE PEOPLE.
WE WILL FOLLOW UP THIS CASE.DETAILS SOON.
The NNSS team this week met with staff of the Tamale office of the national ambulance service. Our aim is to collaborate for effective referral system management.
Our initial target is to cover 2 stations of the ambulance service out of the 17 stations in the northern region. The two stations are the tamale main office and the Bimbilla station.
It is our hope that this pilot phase will help us assess our strategies better for expansion. We expect to conclude the agreement by mid-week. More soon.
The past week has been full of activity and excitement for our team at the NNSS. First, we are more than over joyed for our babies with the calling off of the doctors strike.whew! Normal service resumes.
Additionally we were visited by the head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital,together with two senior nurses.We are indeed overwhelmed by their genuine support for us.
But then,nothing excites more than to think of Tigo arriving in town next week to help kick start our call system.Excitement is at fever pitch………..we can’t wait!