HS Sprint project: ‘From coffee bean to improved preterm breath’

Overcoming barriers to caffeine access in Sub-Saharan
Africa
Project lead: Kelly Storm (EMC)
Partners: Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Umoyo Wathu Programme
Team: Saba Hinrichs-Krapels (TUD), Sinno Simons (EMC), Robert Flint (EMC), Jan-Carel Diehl (TUD), Henderson Mitomoni (TUD), John Munthali (Umoyo Wathu Programme)

Summary

Neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa is the highest worldwide, with prematurity and its complications, including apnea of prematurity (AOP) and hypoxia, being major contributors. Caffeine is the key pharmacological treatment for AOP, but remains largely inaccessible in Sub-Saharan Africa. This project unites local stakeholders—including healthcare providers, pharmacists, and policymakers—in Malawi to collaboratively address barriers to caffeine availability and co-create implementation strategies. We aim to improve access to this essential medication, advancing neonatal healthcare in this region.

More information about this project

Do you have questions about this project or do you want to receive more information? Please contact the main applicant of this project: Kelly Storm