When Ahmed Mohammad was born at only 33 weeks, he was whisked into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus There he was met by a team of professional staff who were able to offer him the highly-specialized care that a premature baby needs. With new equipment and training provided by USAID's Palestinian Health Sector Reform and Development Project, Rafidia Hospital has upgraded their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to serve those living in the northern West Bank.
The doctors and nurses who cared for Ahmed had recently attended a training session following the procurement of 20 Giraffe incubators. These high-end incubators are designed to offer intensive care in closed microenvironments for vulnerable and premature newborns. A product specialist led the training, teaching Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff the optimal use of the incubator, including thermoregulation and impact of light and sound on the babies' environment.
"Based on what we have learned, we are already making changes," stated Haneen Al-Kum, head nurse of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Lifting baby Ahmed carefully into the incubator, Haneen attentively followed the trainer's advice on neuro-protective strategies and the impact of touch in care-giving practices.
The Project is working closely with the Palestinian Ministry of Health to procure top of the line medical equipment with a concurrent clinical training to advance the skills of health care professionals in utilizing the equipment. The clinical workshops allow health care professionals to keep up to date with advances in their sector while ensuring maximum utilization of new equipment. "So many of our staff have been isolated from improving their medical knowledge—with limited access to travel or continuing education…these workshops are invaluable to updating essential knowledge," emphasized Dr. Hassan Fitian, Rafidia Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Director.
The training has led to a heightened sense of awareness and enthusiasm among the staff. Ahmed Mohammad is just one of thousands of babies expected to be treated in an ever improved Neonatal Intensive Care Unit each year by a team prepared to nurture premature infants into healthy and growing babies.
Rafidia Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff are expanding their knowledge in optimal utilization of USAID procured incubators.
Photo by: Project Staff.
Head NICU nurse Haneen Al-Kum follows guidance on touching technique as instructed by a product specialist during a training session for optimizing use of the new infant incubators
"So many of our staff have been isolated from improving their medical knowledge—with limited access to travel or continuing education…these workshops are invaluable to updating essential knowledge of our staff," said Dr. Hassan Fitian, Rafidia NICU Director.
