Strengthening Discharge Education for Preterm Babies at Mulago Women’s Specialized and Neonatal Hospital Uganda

At Mulago Women’s Specialized and Neonatal Hospital, efforts are ongoing to strengthen how families of preterm babies are prepared for life after leaving the NICU. While hospital care plays a critical role in survival, the transition from hospital to home remains one of the most vulnerable stages for preterm infants. Many parents leave the NICU without enough practical guidance to confidently continue care at home. To address this gap, Preterm Infants Parents Network Uganda is working alongside NICU nurses, in collaboration with Jennifer McCullough, to strengthen discharge education for parents of preterm babies. Focus of the Support and Training The collaboration focuses on equipping nurses to better prepare parents in key areas such as: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Recognizing danger signs in preterm babies Understanding when to return for follow-up care Building confidence in home-based care after discharge Why This Matters Many risks to preterm babies occur after discharge, not during hospital admission. Without proper preparation, parents may: Miss early warning signs of illness Stop Kangaroo Mother Care too early Delay returning to hospital when urgent care is needed Feel overwhelmed and unsupported at home Strengthening discharge education helps reduce these risks and improves survival outcomes. The Bigger Goal The goal is to ensure that every parent leaves the NICU not only with their baby, but also with the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to continue life-saving care at home. Because what happens after discharge is just as important as what happens in the hospital. Conclusion Through collaboration with Jennifer McCullough and NICU teams at Mulago Hospital, this initiative is helping close the gap between hospital care and home care for preterm babies in Uganda. Stronger preparation for parents leads to stronger care at home and better survival for preterm infants.