Where to Access Reliable Jaundice Testing

To guide learners on where and how to access reliable, timely bilirubin testing for newborn jaundice—especially in low-resource African settings.

🏥 Why Location Matters

Many African babies with jaundice never receive proper testing because parents and caregivers don’t know where to go, who to call, or what equipment is needed. Knowing where bilirubin testing is available can mean the difference between life and lifelong disability (e.g., kernicterus).

🧭 Where to Access Reliable Jaundice Testing in Africa

✅ 1. Tertiary & Teaching Hospitals

These have full laboratory support and neonatal units equipped with bilirubin testing machines.

Examples:

Kenya: Kenyatta National Hospital (Nairobi), Moi Teaching Hospital (Eldoret), Pumwani Maternity Hospital
Nigeria: Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University College Hospital (Ibadan), UNTH Enugu
Ghana: Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (Accra), Komfo Anokye Hospital (Kumasi)
Uganda: Mulago National Referral Hospital (Kampala), Mbarara Regional Hospital

📌 Blood testing and phototherapy services often available.

✅ 2. County / District / Regional Hospitals

These are government-run or mission hospitals that may have:

Phototherapy machines
TcB devices (handheld skin bilirubin meters)
Basic blood bilirubin lab testing (serum bilirubin)

🧪 Tip: Call ahead to confirm they have newborn lab testing available.

✅ 3. Accredited Private Clinics and Labs

Many urban private hospitals and labs offer newborn bilirubin testing for a fee.

Examples:

Pathologists Lancet Kenya: https://www.lancet.co.ke
Synlab Nigeria: https://www.synlab.com.ng
Medlab Ghana: https://www.medlabghana.com

🧾 Cost: KES 500–2000 (Kenya) or ₦3000–10,000 (Nigeria) depending on location

✅ 4. CHW-Linked Health Posts (Pilots & NGO Programs)

In some regions, CHWs are trained and equipped with portable TcB meters (e.g., JM-105) under pilot programs.

Programs with pilots or donor-supported kits:

Living Goods (Kenya & Uganda): https://livinggoods.org
Neotree (Malawi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria): https://neotree.org
Save the Children NICU Strengthening Projects

🎯 Ask your CHW if they can refer or connect you with a nurse, mobile lab, or phototherapy unit nearby.

✅ 5. Maternal & Neonatal Helplines

Some regions offer phone-based referral services to connect families to nearby neonatal care:

Kenya’s 1195 GBV & Health Support Line (ask to be connected to a pediatric referral center)
Nigeria’s National Call Centre for Health Emergencies – 112
Ghana Health Service Neonatal Line: Often coordinated through local districts

🧰 Tools to Help CHWs Locate Testing Sites

Tool	What It Does	Link
mDaktari (Kenya)	Digital map of pediatric services	https://mdaktari.africa
Bilitool	Jaundice treatment decision tool	https://bilitool.org
Neotree App	Clinical newborn tool for CHWs and nurses	https://neotree.org
Health Facility Registry – Nigeria	Find health centers by state	https://hfr.health.gov.ng

📝 Community Health Worker Script:

“Mama, if baby is yellow, we can first check here. If needed, I’ll help you go to [district hospital]. It’s better to test than to wait — early help means full recovery.”

✅ Quick Recap:

Facility Type	Has Blood Test?	Has Skin Test?	Has Phototherapy?	Referral Needed?
Teaching Hospital	✅	✅	✅	No
County Hospital	✅	Maybe	✅	Sometimes
CHW Outreach	❌	✅ (some)	❌	✅
Private Clinic	✅	Maybe	✅	No
Health Post	❌	❌	❌	✅

🧪 Quiz – Accessing Testing

Q1. Where is bilirubin testing always available?
A. Village pharmacy
B. Teaching hospital
C. Traditional healer
D. Maternity shelter

✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Teaching hospitals are equipped for neonatal labs and phototherapy.

Q2. A mother in a rural area asks where to test her jaundiced baby. What do you do?
A. Tell her to wait
B. Refer her to the nearest district or CHW with TcB device
C. Give paracetamol
D. Rub baby with palm oil

✅ Answer: B
Rationale: CHWs or district clinics with bilirubin screening are ideal for early referral.

🎯 Lesson Objective

🏥 Why Location Matters