Neotree

Neotree is a UK charity that develops technology to empower healthcare professionals in low-resource settings to count and care for every newborn. 

Neotree technology, an Android-based application, is the result of seven years of rigorous academic research led by University College London (UCL), and innovation in partnership with local clinicians and digital specialists. It’s the only such intervention in development that combines data collection, clinical decision support, and education to improve the quality of care for newborns and strengthen health systems. Using it could save over half a million babies each year. Neotree currently operates in hospitals across Zimbabwe and Malawi.  

Malawi Overview

In Malawi, Neotree is currently operating in three facilities in Lilongwe (Kabudula Health Centre, Lumbadzi Health Centre, and Kamuzu Central Hospital) and is rolling out to 10 Facilities in Kasungu (currently at Kasungu District Hospital, Simlemba Health Center, Kawamba Health Center and Bua Health Center).  

To date over 40,000 babies have been cared for through the Neotree System across Malawi and Zimbabwe, and over 18,000 in Malawi alone. Neotree is working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure sustainability through integration into pre-existing government electronic medical records and databases such as the Malawi Health Information System (MaHIS), and DHIS2. We are also working to support the nutrition of even the smallest babies by recommending accurate amounts of expressed breast milk using our newly designed feed and medication calculator.

Our community engagement work aims to establish mother/parent groups at primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities within the Neotree Newborn Network. These groups comprise mothers, caregivers and families that work together to provide a safe and supportive space where mothers, parents, and caregivers can discuss experiences, co-develop family-centred care pathways and inform the improvement of the Neotree system.

Project Partner: FCDO, UCL, NIHR, Malawi Ministry of Health

Recognition: Welcome Trust Innovator Award, Future United Collaborator Award, Global South eHealth Observatory Prize

Website: www.neotree.org