UHAS launches groundbreaking research to combat neonatal infections 

University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has unveiled a pioneering research initiative aimed at tackling neonatal infections and the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH). The three-year project is supported by the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) under its Global Research Programme. The initiative is titled "Enhancing Infection Prevention and Rational Antibiotic Use for Neonatal Infection in Four Health Facilities in the Volta Region."

The research will be implemented across four facilities: the Ho Teaching Hospital, the Volta Regional Hospital (Hohoe), Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital (Kpando) and the Keta Municipal Hospital. The project is organised into four key work packages: Infection Prevention, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Behavioural Science and Economic Evaluation. Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako emphasized that while effective interventions exist, their success depends on tailoring them to local contexts. Dr Selorm Tsrakasu described the initiative as "timely and essential," citing mounting pressure on neonatal intensive care units due to drug-resistant infections. Dr Kokou Hefoume Amegan-Aho highlighted systemic gaps such as poor hand hygiene, weak diagnostic capacity and inappropriate antibiotic use as critical drivers of neonatal infections.

Over the next three years, the UHAS research team will collaborate closely with participating health facilities to implement tailored strategies, strengthen infection surveillance, and build healthcare worker capacity. The study's findings will directly feed into national health policy through collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Authority.