Diavolana Koecher, a professor in Madagascar, Archippe Muhandule Birindwa, a pediatric expert in the DRC, and Marah Issiatu, a senior nurse in Sierra Leone, share insights on the evolving landscape of pediatric ICUs in Sub-Saharan Africa. They discuss the urgent health challenges facing youth, including infectious diseases and infrastructure issues. Their stories highlight the importance of technology and innovative training in improving critical care and transforming outcomes for children in resource-limited settings.
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insights INSIGHT
Challenges Facing African PICUs
Sub-Saharan African PICUs face diverse challenges including infectious outbreaks, conflict effects, and climate change impacts.
Resilience and local innovation are key to improving critical care despite limited resources and infrastructure.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Overwhelmed Pediatric Units in Sierra Leone
Sister Marah describes a huge patient influx in Freetown hospitals post-Ebola, stressing staff limits.
Infectious diseases like malaria and sepsis are the main causes in critically ill children.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Solar Power Improves Hospital Care
Power outages severely impact care especially oxygen and monitoring.
A shift to solarized power and generators improved hospital electricity reliability.
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The World Federation of Pediatric Intensive & Critical Care Societies (WFPICCS), in collaboration with OPENPediatrics, recognizes World PICU Awareness Week 2025. This initiative aims to raise global awareness about the importance of PICUs and critical care wards worldwide, emphasizing how healthcare professionals in these units, regardless of resource setting, are driving change.
From managing infectious diseases to overcoming infrastructure challenges, this episode explores the resilience and innovation in pediatric intensive care across Sub-Saharan Africa. Hear from frontline experts in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Madagascar as they share their experiences in providing critical care amidst epidemics, conflicts, and climate change. Discover how dedicated healthcare professionals are transforming outcomes for children in some of the most challenging environments.
HOST
Hans-Joerg Lang, MD, PhD, FRCPCH
NGO Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar
Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Germany
GUESTS
Archippe Muhandule Birindwa, MD, PhD
Medical Director at Cliniques Universitaires de Bukavu
Head of Department of Pediatrics at Université Officielle de Bukavu
Pediatrics Lecturer at Institut Supérieur de Technique Médicale
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Diavolana Koecher, MD
Professor at the University of Mahajanga
Madagascar
Marah Issiatu, RN, SCM, MSN
Senior Nurse Specialist at JMB-PCE hospital
Nursing Officer at JMB-PCE hospital
Sierra Leone
DATE
Initial publication date: May 9, 2025.
TRANSCRIPTS
English - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/9p2jw59n8ghrghgpk7m72g/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_English.pdf
Spanish - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/nv25jghz5c99ckcnt9jb4gpr/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Spanish.pdf
French - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/pm9j5jzbcz6v8jrghhsrp/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_French.pdf
Portuguese - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/fj34b5cj9gjj6q3wgt3g7wrx/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Portuguese.pdf
Italian - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/35vmps6w6kkcnvhwvzf32wmc/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Italian.pdf
German - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/bnph8nvgg9k69j753f744jh/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_German.pdf
Arabic - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/wrrm7hfnf43sngsj55bkf4/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Arabic.pdf
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