JOOTRH partners with NEST360° to combat newborn hypothermia in Kenya

KENYA — Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has welcomed a critical donation of medical equipment that promises to transform newborn care in the region.

The hospital’s Newborn Unit (NBU) received advanced warming devices from NEST360° (Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies), marking another milestone in the ongoing effort to improve infant survival rates.

The donation centers on nine CELSI Warmers, sophisticated conductive warming mattresses specifically engineered to prevent hypothermia in newborns.

Medical professionals define hypothermia as a dangerous condition where an infant’s body temperature falls below 36.5 degrees Celsius, with premature babies facing the highest risk.

Current data from the NBU show that between 30 and 40 percent of infants arrive at the unit already suffering from hypothermia.

Healthcare workers struggle particularly during nighttime hours to maintain stable body temperatures for these vulnerable patients.

The CELSI Warmers will play a vital role during the critical admission period, helping keep newborns warm when they need it most.

Hospital administrators have set an ambitious target of reducing hypothermia rates to below 10 percent, a goal they believe will significantly improve overall health outcomes for newborns in their care.

Complementing existing care methods

These new devices work alongside established thermal care approaches, including Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a method where mothers hold their babies skin-to-skin to provide warmth.

The CELSI Warmers prove especially valuable in situations where KMC cannot be immediately implemented, such as when mothers face medical complications or remain unavailable due to other circumstances.

Leadership welcomes partnership

Hospital CEO Dr. Joshua Okise received the equipment in a handover ceremony attended by Senior Director of Finance and Administration Evans Brian Oloo and Dr. Maureen Muchela, who directs the Paediatric Division.

Dr. Okise praised the collaboration between NEST360° and JOOTRH, emphasizing that this contribution will create lasting positive effects on newborn health outcomes for years ahead.

Dolphine Mochache, Programme Manager for NEST360, reinforced her organization’s commitment to supporting JOOTRH beyond just equipment provision.

The partnership includes ongoing training programs, maintenance oversight, and comprehensive data collection to ensure newborn care remains sustainable and effective over the long term.

Building on years of collaboration

NEST360 has worked closely with JOOTRH since 2021, establishing a robust foundation for improved newborn care.

The organization has delivered extensive training programs for the hospital’s medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and biomedical engineering teams who maintain the specialized equipment.

Beyond the CELSI Warmers, NEST360 has previously supplied JOOTRH with the comprehensive NEST Bundle.

This collection includes CPAP machines to assist with breathing, oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters to monitor vital signs, and syringe pumps for precise medication delivery.

The bundle also features radiant warmers, LED phototherapy units equipped with BiliDx technology for treating jaundice, and essential point-of-care diagnostic devices such as hemoglobinometers and glucometers.

A Vision for Quality Care

These collaborative efforts align perfectly with JOOTRH’s broader mission to provide high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the community it serves.

In recent years, the hospital has continuously upgraded its facilities and expanded its capabilities, supported by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals committed to protecting and improving lives from the moment of birth.