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. 2024 Jun 20;65(3):332-343.
doi: 10.60787/nmj-v65i3-471. eCollection 2024 May-Jun.

Neonatal Transport Network Services: Preparedness of healthcare systems in Southern Nigeria

Elizabeth-Martha Chinyere Okorie  1 , Datonye Christopher Briggs  2 , Peace Ibo Opara  3 , Augusta Unoma Eneh  3
Affiliations

Neonatal Transport Network Services: Preparedness of healthcare systems in Southern Nigeria

Elizabeth-Martha Chinyere Okorie et al. Niger Med J. .

Abstract

Background: Nigeria remains a major contributor to neonatal deaths worldwide, yet little consideration has been given to intra/inter health facility transfer of sick neonates. The dearth of Neonatal Transport Network Services (NNTS) is probably an underappreciated driver of the abysmally high national neonatal mortality indices. This study aimed to evaluate neonatal transport services and the healthcare workers' preparedness among health facilities in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Methods: Twenty-eight selected health facilities (tertiary, private hospitals Primary Health Centers] were assessed on the availability, modality and practice of NNTS. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 23.

Results: Routine transfer of high-risk pregnant mothers to higher levels of care occurred always in 14 (50%) and sometimes in 6 (21.4%) facilities; Private cars and taxis were the most common mode of transport in 24 (85.7%) facilities. Two facilities (7.2%) had ambulances equipped with transport incubators. Nurses and nurse attendants with no formal training in NNTS accompanied referred neonates in 2 (7.2%) facilities. Most referring facilities (78.6%) neither rarely or never contacted receiving centres before the arrival of neonates and most nor gave back referrals after offering neonatal care. None (100%) of the facilities had a trained emergency transport team.

Conclusion: Health facilities in Southern Nigeria lack a standardized Neonatal Transport Network and are characterized by poor communication between health facilities and inadequately trained personnel for inter-facility transfer of sick neonates. Urgent action is required to address these gaps, including training of healthcare workers on neonatal transport and sharing findings with relevant stakeholders/policymakers to establish a functional neonatal transport network among health facilities.

Keywords: Health Facilities; Healthcare Workers Preparedness; Neonatal Transport; Nigeria; Rivers State.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The proportion of facilities that refer pregnant mothers to higher levels of care.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Methods of providing warmth for neonates during transportation
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Transfer of at-risk and sick neonates in KMC position
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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