Caring for peopleResourcing development

Run by volunteers both in UK and overseas

Warm Cots ProjectIn Tanzania

Tanzaniais a country in east central

Africa.

Moshi is in the north east near

the Kenya border.

The ProblemIn the Kilimanjaro region of northern Tanzania, there is a significant

problem of premature births. A high death rate among these premature babies is partly due to infections,

& partly the baby’s inability to control their body temperature. They die of cold.

One solution is to place several babies together in one crib so they keep each other warm. However, cross-infection takes its toll.

Mothers traditionally carry infants on their backs but Mothers traditionally carry infants on their backs but Kangaroo Pouches are better for underweight new born or premature babiesKangaroo Pouches are better for underweight new born or premature babies

Incubators are an obvious solution. However, apart from the prohibitive costs of these imported technical devices

there is a cultural problem. Mothers observe a higher death rate among the babies put in the incubator.

If your baby is put in that electric oven, it is a lot more likely to die! If your baby is put in that electric oven, it is a lot more likely to die!

Low cost, low tech’ and non-threatening WARM COTS save premature baby lives.Low cost, low tech’ and non-threatening WARM COTS save premature baby lives.

Making WARM COTS at Moshi Technical College to a design students created.Making WARM COTS at Moshi Technical College to a design students created.

Dr Versluys paedriatrician at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre and Dr Versluys paedriatrician at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre and Moshi Tech’ students who developed the warm cot.Moshi Tech’ students who developed the warm cot.

WARM COTS being taken from Moshi Technical College to clinics inWARM COTS being taken from Moshi Technical College to clinics inKilimanjaro DistrictKilimanjaro District

WARM COTS being delivered to village medical centres in Kilimanjaro DistrictWARM COTS being delivered to village medical centres in Kilimanjaro District

In a village medical centre Dr Jeff Carr shows howIn a village medical centre Dr Jeff Carr shows how a WARM COT works using just a few light bulbsa WARM COT works using just a few light bulbs

Ward Sister at KCMC, Rose Kundi, teaches nurses how to use the WARM COTS Ward Sister at KCMC, Rose Kundi, teaches nurses how to use the WARM COTS

A key feature of the WARM COT is that it can be kept by the mother’s A key feature of the WARM COT is that it can be kept by the mother’s bed.bed.

With single occupancy it reduces risks of cross infection dramatically. With single occupancy it reduces risks of cross infection dramatically.

Rose Kundi and Dr Carr demonstrate the WARM COT to Dr Chatto of Rose Kundi and Dr Carr demonstrate the WARM COT to Dr Chatto of Dodoma Christian Medical Centre. Dodoma Christian Medical Centre.

Warm CotsHow YOU can help

save lives.

Each cot costs £80 to make and distribute with

training.

Extending the programme into other districts like MARA and RUYUMA will cost a total of £6000 in

each.