Amani Adidja, Nansseu Jobert Richie, Mah Evelyn M, Vougmo Clemence Meguejio, Moluh Seidou Moluh, Mbu Robinson
Department of Family Health, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Department for the Control of Disease, Epidemics and Pandemics, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol. 2017 Nov 13;3:26. doi: 10.1186/s40748-017-0064-y. eCollection 2017.
Perinatal networks have yielded substantial contribution in decreasing the neonatal mortality rate. We present here the process of implementation of a perinatal network in Yaoundé (Cameroon) based on the WhatsApp messenger application as well as some preliminary results and achievements.
In December 2016, the Yaoundé Perinatal Network was launched, regrouping a multidisciplinary team of health professionals dealing with perinatal care in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The network takes advantage of WhatsApp facilities and is coordinated by 5 administrators. One of their main duties is to have a twice-daily updated status of the available equipment (incubators, oxygen and phototherapy) and bed capacities across the Yaoundé pediatric units. Once a request is sent through the network, other members react, either by giving advice or by telling where the desired equipment or expertise is available at that moment. Then, the baby is immediately prepared for transfer, occurring once the receiving pediatric unit has attested that it is already prepared to receive the new patient.
From December 18, 2016 to July 31, 2017, 139 members representing all the principal maternities and tertiary pediatric units in Yaoundé were already included in the network. The network permitted instant sharing of knowledge and information between its members for an optimal delivery of care. Two hundred and seventeen neonates were transferred using the network; the median time of response after a request had been sent was 19.5 min and the delay in transferring a neonate averaged 70 min.
Taking account of the preliminary promising notes, there is hope that the Yaoundé Perinatal Network will help to reduce neonatal mortality in our context. Lessons learned from its implementation will serve to replicate this innovative health action in other towns of the country. Moreover, this experience could be a source of inspiration for other countries facing similar challenges.
围产期网络在降低新生儿死亡率方面做出了重大贡献。在此，我们介绍基于WhatsApp即时通讯应用程序在雅温得（喀麦隆）实施围产期网络的过程以及一些初步结果和成就。
2016年12月，雅温得围产期网络启动，该网络汇聚了喀麦隆雅温得从事围产期护理的多学科卫生专业人员团队。该网络利用WhatsApp的功能，由5名管理员协调。他们的主要职责之一是每日两次更新雅温得各儿科单位的可用设备（保温箱、氧气和光疗设备）和床位情况。一旦通过网络发出请求，其他成员会做出反应，要么提供建议，要么告知此刻所需设备或专业知识的所在位置。然后，一旦接收儿科单位证明已准备好接收新患者，婴儿就会立即准备转运。
从2016年12月18日至2017年7月31日，雅温得所有主要产科和三级儿科单位的139名成员已纳入该网络。该网络使成员之间能够即时共享知识和信息，以实现最佳的护理服务。通过该网络转运了217名新生儿；发出请求后的中位响应时间为19.5分钟，转运新生儿的平均延迟时间为70分钟。
鉴于这些初步的良好迹象，有望雅温得围产期网络将有助于降低我们地区的新生儿死亡率。从其实施过程中吸取的经验教训将有助于在该国其他城镇推广这一创新的卫生行动。此外，这一经验可能会为面临类似挑战的其他国家提供灵感。
