Dear Colleagues

The Neonatal Nursing Association of Southern Africa (NNASA) together with The Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN) are hosting the 7th International Conference for Neonatal Nurses (ICNN) at the ICC in Durban, South Africa, on 24-27th October 2010. This will be a groundbreaking conference and we aim to attract thousands of neonatal professionals from around the globe to come and share our vision.

COINN was established following the 5th International Neonatal Nurses Conference in Ottowa, Canada, in 2004. The conferences are held every three years. COINN’s membership consists of national neonatal nursing associations including South Africa and Kenya. They also have 40 affiliate members/contacts – many in developing countries e.g. Russia, Liberia, Pakistan etc.

NNASA was formed in February 2007. Our board consists of six passionate neonatal nurses who have a vision to encourage and support neonatal nurses in southern Africa. We want to improve communication among them, to promote evidenced-based standards of care and ultimately to improve the standard of neonatal care in the region. Our slogan “Reach for the stars” encompasses our belief that through teamwork you can reach beyond yourselves and achieve amazing things.

The Unicef target MDG 4 aims for a 66% reduction in under-five mortality. More than 38% of these deaths occur in the neonatal period and half of these occur within the first week. 99% of neonatal deaths arise in low and middle income countries, particularly in sub- Saharan Africa.

In the light of this, NNASA was keen to bring the International Neonatal Nurses Conference to southern Africa with the following objectives:
• To highlight neonatal care in the region
• To provide the opportunity for African delegates to attend an international conference of this nature
• To promote neonatal nursing as a specialty
• To highlight the fact that neonatal nurses are professionals who need to be part of the debate regarding policy
• To encourage the formation of national neonatal nursing associations and membership thereof
• To promote international communication
• To showcase neonatal care given within South Africa through hospital visits in the area
• To reward excellence

Our theme “Excellence against all odds – Researching solutions for global challenges” reflects the aim of all neonatal nurses to constantly give of their best in their pursuit of excellence in patient care. The conference will support this by offering pre-conference skills workshops and a comprehensive scientific progamme of local and international presenters who will equip delegates with knowledge of the latest research and practice to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based neonatal care. Our parallel sessions will cover the following themes:

Hands-on:
• “Asking the right question” – Implementing the latest evidenced based practice, choosing research topics, interpreting the evidence
• “In the baby’s best interest” – Case management of difficult clinical/ethical problems
• “The heart of management” – holistic management of baby, family and health team

The global perspective:
• “Meeting the millennium goals” – international experiences, programmes
• “Getting the mix right” – issues, recruitment and retention, workplace culture, models of care, collaboration etc
• “learning in context” – preparation, competencies, orientation, preceptors, outreach programs, graduate programs etc

We hope to encourage innovation, reward excellence, inspire, motivate and promote passion for our calling.
Best Wishes

God bless

Ruth Davidge AMN
Neonatal Coordinator( NELS)- PMB Metro. Hospitals Complex Western KZN RSA
Pres. NNASA (Neonatal Nurses Association of Southern Africa)
Tel: +27 764976056 +27 33 8973113
Fax: +27 33 8973049
Email: ruth.davidge@kznhealth.gov.za