Diamedica’s Jon Meek, recently returned to Uganda to participate in this year’s Anaesthesia in Developing Countries (ADC) course, followed by a visit to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. The visit provided an opportunity to follow up on the progress made since last year’s engagement and to assess the impact of Diamedica equipment in clinical use.
The Mbale visit included a tour of the hospital’s newly developed neonatal unit, which has undergone significant improvements. The expanded unit now supports a higher number of premature and critically ill newborns and is better equipped to manage respiratory distress and other complications.
During the visit, discussions focused on training needs, maintenance planning, and ensuring long-term sustainability of neonatal respiratory care. The team also identified opportunities for further support through refresher training and additional technical guidance to strengthen local capacity.
The ADC course itself continued to provide valuable skills development for anaesthesia providers working in low-resource settings. Sessions covered draw-over systems, oxygen management, and practical approaches to delivering safe anaesthesia when infrastructure is limited. Diamedica’s presence allowed for hands-on engagement with equipment and direct feedback from frontline clinicians.
Overall, the visit highlighted measurable improvements in neonatal care at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, reinforced the importance of continued partnerships, and confirmed the ongoing impact of Diamedica’s CPAP and training in the region.
“On behalf of Born on the Edge, Adam and I want to personally thank all of you for your contributions towards the successful establishment of the Level II Neonatal Unit in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and the delivery of the Newborn Care Training Course across Eastern Uganda. Your support in getting our HDUs up and running with CPAP and oxygen has made a HUGE difference and Born on the Edge truly values your support tremendously. We could not have done this without you.
We hope you will continue to work and support with us over the next decade as we chase our dreams together.”
Dr Kathy Burgoine: Paediatrician at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital
