Pulse oximetry has become an indispensable tool for improving the management of childhood illnesses in Niger. Omar, Chief Nurse at Aikawa Integrated Health Centre since 2018, explains how life-changing this tool has been for children.
In Niger, one of the countries with the highest child mortality rates globally, approximately 1 in 10 children do not survive to celebrate their fifth birthday. This alarming statistic highlights a pressing public health crisis, especially in remote locations like Aikawa, where access to healthcare is severely limited.
However, a simple yet powerful device—the pulse oximeter—is transforming child healthcare in our community.
The Game-Changer: Pulse Oximetry
Pulse oximetry has become an indispensable tool for improving the management of childhood illnesses, particularly among children aged 0-59 months. This small device, which clips onto a patient's finger, measures two vital indicators: oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate. These measurements are crucial for detecting respiratory issues and ensuring proper oxygenation, especially in young children who are most at risk.
Supported by Save the Children’s USAID-funded Kulawa Project in partnership with local government, the introduction of pulse oximeters has empowered healthcare workers like me to detect hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels) early, long before symptoms escalate into life-threatening crises. As a key diagnostic tool of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF-backed Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) programme, pulse oximetry has revolutionized how we address childhood illnesses in Aikawa.
Impact on Child Health
Newborns, especially those born prematurely or with low birth weight, are at high risk for hypoxemia—which can lead to serious complications like brain damage or death. In a region where pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality among children aged 0-59 months pulse oximeters play a vital role by enabling the early detection of low oxygen levels, and respiratory distress.
This ability to monitor oxygen saturation levels allows for diagnosis and intervention, helping to reduce child mortality, ultimately improving health outcomes for young children in our community
A Personal Experience
I vividly remember the first time I used a pulse oximeter in my practice. The moment I saw the readout, knowing that a child's fate could hang in the balance, was both humbling and empowering. With this device, I could make timely decisions that might save a life. By identifying hypoxemia early, we can intervene swiftly and refer critical cases to hospitals before complications arise, a key step in our ongoing efforts to reduce child mortality.
Tangible Results
The results of our efforts in Aikawa have been highly encouraging. From January to September 2024, we screened a total of 3,025 children aged 0-59 months, with 1,874 of them assessed using pulse oximeters. This proactive approach enabled us to identify 29 cases of moderate hypoxemia and six cases of severe hypoxemia.
Our strategy includes patient education—emphasizing the importance of early detection and timely interventions—and developing individualized care plans tailored to each family's circumstances.
Keys to Success: Training and Community Engagement
The effort to improve maternal and child health in Aikawa has been guided by two key factors: ongoing healthcare personnel training and active community engagement.
After the initial training on pulse oximeter usage provided by the USAID Kulawa Project, knowledge was shared with four additional team members, ensuring the entire team achieved proficiency.
Community outreach also played a significant role:
raising awareness about the importance of early detection during vaccination campaigns, malnutrition screenings, and village meetings.
Collaborating with religious leaders, health agents, and community members also promotes the importance of seeking immediate medical care when children show signs of respiratory distress.
Looking Ahead
While we celebrate our achievements, we recognize there is still more needed to be done.
It is essential for health workers to remain vigilant about the dangers of hypoxemia and recognize the life-saving potential of pulse oximetry. We must continue to promote its use for every child who visits our health centers, ensuring that no case goes undetected.
There is also a pressing need for policymakers to strengthen the integration of pulse oximeters within our national healthcare framework.
Conclusion
The integration of oximetry through the USAID Kulawa Project signifies more than just the adoption of new technology; it marks a transformative leap in our capacity to deliver life-saving care.
The success of this initiative proves that timely and quality diagnosis saves lives. We must all work together to make pulse oximeters accessible to all who need them, ensuring that every child has the opportunity for a healthy future.
This blog is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the terms of Cooperative Agreement No. 72068520CA00005. The contents are the responsibility of Save the Children and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
