Improving access to neonatal care in sub-Saharan Africa
Improving access to neonatal care in sub-Saharan Africa
IMPULSE: Improving Quality and Use of Newborn Indicators
Launched in 2021 within the framework of the NEST Model, the IMPULSE (IMProving qUaLity and uSE of newborn indicators) project aims to generate evidence and practical solutions to improve the availability, quality, and use of neonatal data in sub-Saharan Africa, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for newborns admitted to neonatal units.
The project is currently active in Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, and Uganda, through a collaboration between the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the WHO Collaborating Centre of Trieste (IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo), Doctors with Africa CUAMM, the Ifakara Health Institute, and Makerere University School of Public Health.
The project has developed in two main phases.
Phase 1 (2021–2024) focused on conducting an in-depth multi-country assessment of neonatal data systems. This work identified significant gaps in the collection, quality, and use of key neonatal indicators and resulted in important scientific publications that helped define shared priorities for improvement.
Phase 2 (2024–2026) builds on these findings and focuses on designing, testing, and validating practical solutions to strengthen neonatal data collection and its integration into clinical practice. The aim is to ensure that improved data systems can directly support better decision-making and quality of care in neonatal units.
Through this work, IMPULSE aims to bridge research and implementation, translating evidence into actionable tools to strengthen health systems in low-resource settings.
The project has developed in two main phases.
Phase 1 (2021–2024) focused on conducting an in-depth multi-country assessment of neonatal data systems. This work identified significant gaps in the collection, quality, and use of key neonatal indicators and resulted in important scientific publications that helped define shared priorities for improvement.
Phase 2 (2024–2026) builds on these findings and focuses on designing, testing, and validating practical solutions to strengthen neonatal data collection and its integration into clinical practice. The aim is to ensure that improved data systems can directly support better decision-making and quality of care in neonatal units.
Through this work, IMPULSE aims to bridge research and implementation, translating evidence into actionable tools to strengthen health systems in low-resource settings.
Where we work
