In eastern Congo, where conflict and instability threaten daily life, a quiet transformation is happening inside hospital neonatal wards. Despite the challenges, health workers are saving more newborns—one breath at a time.
This progress is part of an initiative led by HEAL Africa Hospital and Vayu Global Health, now strengthened by the addition of Global Strategies as a partner. Together, the organizations are expanding access to neonatal CPAP, a simple but lifesaving therapy for fragile newborns. For babies born too early, too small, or with underdeveloped lungs, CPAP can mean the difference between life and death.
What is neonatal CPAP?
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) delivers a gentle, steady flow of air into a baby’s nose, helping keep airways open and reducing the work of breathing. It’s standard care in well-equipped hospitals—but in places like eastern Congo, it’s often unavailable due to unreliable electricity and limited resources.
In early 2025, Global Strategies joined the ongoing rollout of Vayu’s innovative CPAP machines across North Kivu. Unlike traditional systems, Vayu’s design doesn’t require electricity or compressed air, making it ideal for low-resource, crisis-affected settings.
“We used to watch babies die because we had nothing to support their breathing,” says Elisabeth Samvura, a nurse at HEAL Africa Hospital in Goma. “Now, with CPAP, we see them get stronger hour by hour. It gives us hope.”
Health workers are being trained to use and maintain the new devices, and early outcomes are already promising.
Why this matters:
“This partnership is a testament to what’s possible when we stay focused on newborns—even during a crisis,” says Jean Armas, Global Strategies Program Manager. “We didn’t wait for things to calm down. We moved forward—because the babies couldn’t wait.”
Thanks to your support, hospitals in eastern Congo are gaining the tools they need to protect their most vulnerable patients. In the midst of hardship, each saved life is a powerful sign of hope.
