At Rumuruti Level 4 Hospital in Laikipia County, premature and critically ill newborns have long depended on a single neonatal incubator—one that had already exceeded its useful life. With no alternative available, healthcare workers were forced to continue using failing equipment, placing vulnerable newborns at increased risk in one of the county’s busiest maternity facilities.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Health Procurement Africa (HPA), under the leadership of Jane Mwangi, supported a county-wide assessment of neonatal incubators across all Level 4 hospitals in Laikipia. The assessment examined equipment availability, functionality, maintenance practices, and procurement processes. This systematic review generated critical evidence, clearly highlighting gaps that were affecting the quality and safety of neonatal care.
The findings were shared with county leadership through structured dissemination and engagement sessions, ensuring that decision-makers had the information needed to act.
Encouragingly, Laikipia County responded decisively. Using its own resources, the County procured an additional neonatal incubator for Rumuruti Level 4 Hospital. This investment has significantly strengthened the facility’s capacity to provide safe and reliable thermal care for approximately 120 newborns each month, reducing reliance on a single, unreliable device.
Beyond the immediate benefits, this initiative demonstrates strong county ownership and a commitment to sustainable health system strengthening. By using evidence to inform prioritisation, budgeting, and procurement decisions, Laikipia County has reinforced more effective planning for essential health technologies.
For newborns and frontline health workers alike, this progress represents more than just new equipment—it is a powerful example of how locally led, evidence-based action can deliver safer care today while building a more resilient health system for the future.