The Nakakeeto Foundation has taken an impactful step towards advancing neonatal healthcare in Uganda with the introduction of the Virtual Essential Newborn Care (vENC) training program, implemented initially in the West Nile region. This pioneering initiative aims to enhance the skills of healthcare providers in essential newborn care through an innovative virtual reality (VR) approach. The project, developed by the University of Washington, brings cutting-edge training solutions to rural and urban healthcare facilities in Uganda, with promising results. With the support of local health professionals, Nakakeeto Foundation representatives, and project coordinator Waligo Henry, the initial training sessions laid the groundwork for long-term improvements in newborn care.
In June 2024, after months of training healthcare workers at Moyo General Hospital, Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, and Koboko General Hospital, the Nakakeeto Foundation proudly welcomed Dr. Rachel Umoren, a distinguished neonatal healthcare expert from the University of Washington and one of the primary architects of the vENC program. Dr. Umoren visited the West Nile region to observe firsthand how the vENC tool has been implemented in Uganda and to assess its impact on healthcare delivery in some of the region’s most essential healthcare facilities.
During the visit, Dr. Umoren was joined by Prof. Chinyere Ezeaka, a renowned pediatrician from Nigeria, Waligo Henry and Dr. Margaret Nakakeeto, President of the Nakakeeto Foundation. The team embarked on a comprehensive journey through the West Nile, traveling hundreds of kilometers to meet healthcare teams, observe clinical interactions, and listen to feedback from vENC users. Their journey included visits to Moyo General Hospital, Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, and Koboko General Hospital, where healthcare providers shared their experiences of using the vENC tool in everyday practice.
Transformative Impact of vENC Training in West Nile
The vENC training provides healthcare workers, especially midwives and nurses, with essential skills in managing newborn care emergencies. Through virtual simulations, healthcare providers experience real-life scenarios and practice critical procedures like neonatal resuscitation, infection prevention, and mother-infant bonding.
Early feedback from the three sites indicates significant improvements in newborn care practices. Staff members report greater confidence in performing life-saving procedures, improved resuscitation rates, and enhanced patient communication. The tool has also encouraged the integration of best practices, such as skin-to-skin contact for newborns and continuous hand hygiene, further helping to reduce neonatal mortality rates.
Dr. Rachel Umoren’s Visit Highlights vENC’s Successes and Next Steps
Dr. Umoren’s visit underscored the effectiveness of the vENC tool in strengthening essential newborn care skills among Ugandan healthcare providers. Her engagement with the local teams allowed for in-depth discussions around the program’s benefits and challenges. Dr. Umoren observed the program’s positive impact on reducing stress among midwives, increasing attention to neonatal emergencies, and standardizing care practices.
The Nakakeeto Foundation has expressed its commitment to expanding the program to additional facilities throughout the West Nile and beyond. Plans for the next phase of the project include addressing technical challenges identified by staff, including device compatibility, and exploring options for a reset feature in the vENC app, allowing users to practice skills continuously after completing all levels.
Empowering Ugandan Healthcare Workers for a Healthier Tomorrow Dr. Margaret Nakakeeto noted, “The vENC program has empowered our healthcare teams with skills that go beyond conventional training. We’re incredibly proud of our teams in Moyo, Yumbe, and Koboko for their dedication, and we look forward to expanding this program to further improve healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns acro
