KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Health has received neonatal care equipment worth UGX 887.3 million from Bulamu Healthcare International as part of an investment aimed at expanding access to essential newborn services in underserved parts of Uganda.

The equipment will be deployed to seven health facilities — Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Pallisa Hospital, Kibuku Health Centre IV, Butebo Health Centre IV, Atiak Health Centre IV, Kibito Health Centre IV and Otwee Health Centre III, where a Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) unit is being supported.

The equipment forms part of a wider UGX 1.087 billion investment by Bulamu Healthcare International, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and district local governments, to strengthen neonatal care.

According to the project concept note, approximately UGX 200 million has been invested in refurbishing neonatal care spaces and training health workers, in addition to the equipment supplied to the facilities.

The investment is intended to address gaps identified during facility assessments, including inadequate neonatal care space, shortages of trained health workers and limited access to essential equipment for caring for sick and small newborns.

The Director General of Health Services Dr Charles Olaro and Dr Ruchard Mugahi received the equipment on behalf of the ministry.

At Otwee Health Centre III, for example, the facility is located more than 80 kilometres from the nearest neonatal service delivery point, creating a significant geographical barrier for families seeking specialised newborn care.

The equipment supplied includes 15 VAYU CPAP machines, two CPAP machines, 30 patient monitors, 15 neonatal radiant warmers, 10 infant incubators, 20 infusion pumps, nine phototherapy machines, nine 10-litre oxygen concentrators and 20 syringe pumps.

The consignment also includes 18 rechargeable pulse oximeters, five vein locators, five suction machines, 34 Ambu bags with newborn masks, weighing scales, thermometers, 25 penguin suckers and other neonatal care equipment.

For KMC services, the equipment list includes 1,000 KMC wraps and 30 KMC chairs, alongside refrigerators, office furniture and other items intended to support the functionality of the units.

The procurement and specifications were undertaken with technical guidance from the Ministry of Health's technical and engineering teams, according to the concept note, with the aim of aligning the equipment with national standards and the level of care expected at each facility.

Thursday's official flag-off of the equipment marks the deployment phase following the refurbishment of neonatal care spaces and health-worker capacity building.

The initiative is built around a service-readiness approach that combines appropriate space, skilled health workers and essential equipment to bring neonatal care closer to communities.

The strengthened facilities are expected to improve their capacity to stabilise and manage sick and small newborns, provide Kangaroo Mother Care and care for preterm and low-birth-weight babies.

This investment also places emphasis on Ministry of Health and district ownership of the supported units and equipment, with long-term sustainability identified as a key component of the intervention.

For Uganda's health system, the expansion of neonatal capacity at lower-level and regional facilities could reduce the distance families have to travel when newborns require specialised attention, particularly in communities currently separated from established neonatal service delivery points.