Improving care and survival of newborns with surgical conditions in Tanzania (TINY Tanzania): a focus on gastroschisis.

Purpose: Gastroschisis is associated with over 90% mortality in many sub-Saharan African countries. The introduction of the Gastroschisis Care Bundle at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) increased survival up to 60%. We aim to explain the impact of using implementation science methods to decentralize the care of babies with gastroschisis to other parts of Tanzania.

Clinical features and treatment of heterotopic pancreas in children: a multi-center retrospective study.

Objective: Heterotopic pancreas, an uncommon condition in children, can present with diagnostic and treatment challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment options for this disorder in pediatric patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis, including patients diagnosed with heterotopic pancreas at four tertiary hospitals between January 2000 and June 2022.

A review of twenty-first century developments in paediatric surgery in Africa.

This review explores the significant advancements in paediatric surgery in Africa during the twenty-first century, with a particular focus on capacity-building, education, infrastructural development, and research. Historically, paediatric surgery has been an overlooked sector, especially in low-and-middle-income countries in Africa. However, recent years have seen considerable progress.

A roadmap for starting, growing and sustaining a comprehensive pediatric surgery service in a low resource area.

The Tanzania-Oxford Children's Surgery Partnership is a longstanding capacity building and research collaboration. Over a 21-year period, this non-hierarchical partnership has worked to develop from service delivery to children surgical system strengthening in Tanzania. This has directly impacted the children's surgery and workforce by increasing the number of pediatric surgeons in the country and upskilling nurses, anesthetists, and pediatricians.

A randomised control trial using soap in the prevention of surgical site infection in Tanzania.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common and serious complications of surgery. Guidelines on preventing SSIs have been developed, but the role of preoperative bathing with plain soap among paediatric population is unclear. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of pre-operative bathing using plain soap in preventing SSIs among paediatric surgical patients.

A Journey Undertaken by Families to Access General Surgical Care for their Children at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania; Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background: A majority of the 2 billion children lacking access to safe, timely and affordable surgical care reside in low-and middle-income countries. A barrier to tackling this issue is the paucity of information regarding children's journey to surgical care. We aimed to explore children's journeys and its implications on accessing general paediatric surgical care at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), a tertiary centre in Tanzania.

Lessons from developing, implementing and sustaining a participatory partnership for children's surgical care in Tanzania.

Global surgery is an essential component of Universal Health Coverage. Surgical conditions account for almost one-third of the global burden of disease, with the majority of patients living in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Children account for more than half of the global population; however, in many LMIC settings they have poor access to surgical care due to a lack of workforce and health system infrastructure to match the need for children's surgery.

Developing and implementing an interventional bundle to reduce mortality from gastroschisis in low-resource settings.

Gastroschisis is associated with less than 4% mortality in high-income countries and over 90% mortality in many tertiary paediatric surgery centres across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The aim of this trial is to develop, implement and prospectively evaluate an interventional bundle to reduce mortality from gastroschisis in seven tertiary paediatric surgery centres across SSA. A hybrid type-2 effectiveness-implementation, pre-post study design will be utilised.