In the heart of Lusaka, Zambia, stands the University Teaching Hospitals—Children’s Hospital—a beacon of hope for families across the country.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit and pediatric infectious disease isolation wards were equipped with unreliable patient monitors and ventilators. Zambia had also experienced a measles outbreak, further contributing to a critical shortage of oxygen at the hospital.
“The pandemic really shone a light on the disparities in our health care system,” recalled Dr. Manoj Matthews, the hospital’s head of clinical care. “We were suddenly faced with an overwhelming demand for oxygen, and our outdated equipment simply couldn’t keep up.”
The shortage hit the hospital’s most vulnerable patients—newborns and young children—particularly hard. A lack of essential medical technology also made it incredibly challenging to deliver the level of advanced care that newborns and children needed.
The COVID-19 Oxygen Emergency Taskforce as part of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (now Global Oxygen Alliance) recognized the urgent need to bolster access to proper and sufficient medical equipment in the wake of the oxygen crisis.
PATH delivers Masimo pulse oximeters to the University Teaching Hospitals—Children’s Hospital. Photo: PATH.
With funding from Unitaid, PATH facilitated the procurement and supply of new oxygen equipment to a number of countries, including Zambia. As a result, the Children’s Hospital was able to equip its existing pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and pediatric isolation wards with advanced pulse oximeters and Airvo 2™ (Fisher & Paykel Healthcare) nasal high-flow systems.
“This donation has quite literally saved lives,” said Dr. Matthews. “The new equipment has not only improved the quality of care we can provide, but it has also allowed us to dramatically increase access to life-sustaining oxygen for our neonatal and pediatric patients.”
“The new equipment has not only improved the quality of care we can provide, but it has also allowed us to dramatically increase access to life-sustaining oxygen for our neonatal and pediatric patients.”— Dr. Manoj Matthews, Head of Clinical Care.
Critical care nurse with the Airvo 2 nasal high-flow system at the University Teaching Hospitals—Children’s Hospital. Photo: PATH.
Prior to this upgrade, the outdated medical technology frequently malfunctioned, putting fragile infants at risk.
“We were constantly troubleshooting issues with the old monitors, ventilators, and pulse oximeters,” recalled Chief Nursing Officer Victoria Nthala. “It was incredibly stressful, and it took away precious time and resources from direct patient care.”
With the installation of new pulse oximeters and nasal high-flow systems, the hospital’s clinical team can now access the tools they need to deliver better care.
In addition to supplying new medical equipment, PATH also trained the hospital staff with support from the Strengthening Oxygen Utilization and Respiratory Care Ecosystems (SOURCE) project.
Biomedical nurses and doctors from within the Children’s Hospital in Lusaka District, as well as staff from other provinces, received orientation into the new equipment and training on oxygen escalation and de-escalation therapy. They were also trained on care for the critically ill, including neonates, infants, and children.
Oxygen therapy escalation training at the University Teaching Hospitals—Children’s Hospital. Photo: PATH.
“The difference is night and day,” said Dr. Matthews. “Our clinicians can now focus entirely on the children, confident that the equipment is reliable and functioning optimally. It’s been transformative for our team and, most importantly, for the families we serve.”
“It’s been transformative for our team and, most importantly, for the families we serve.”
“The training has given confidence to the staff with the assurance that the equipment is well maintained, cared for, and safeguarded,” said Nurse Nthala. “The impact on patient outcomes has been equally profound. Since the PICU upgrade, the hospital has seen a reduction in the average length of stay for neonatal patients from seven days to five days. These are the kinds of results that truly speak to the power of strategic investment in health care infrastructure.”
“These are the kinds of results that truly speak to the power of strategic investment in health care infrastructure.”— Victoria Nthala, Chief Nursing Officer.
Support from donors and partners remains essential even as the University Teaching Hospitals—Children’s Hospital continues to lead the way in pediatric medicine across Zambia.
This latest upgrade has not only transformed the hospital’s capabilities but has also renewed hope for families who previously had limited access to quality neonatal and pediatric care.
“Every child who takes their first breath in our PICU is a testament to the impact of this investment,” said Nurse Nthala. “We are deeply grateful to have been entrusted with the resources to fulfill our mission of giving every young life the best possible start.”
