Dr. Firdose Nakwa

Firdose Nakwa is a clinician-scientist based in South Africa whose work centers on neonatal and perinatal health in resource-constrained settings. Affiliated with academic hospitals and research networks, Nakwa contributes to collaborative national and international initiatives in neonatal resuscitation and infectious diseases. This scholarship bridges clinical neonatology, public health, and translational research with a strong focus on improving outcomes for vulnerable infants.

Research spans neonatal encephalopathy, hypoxic ischaemic injury, and the genetic architecture of brain injury, including whole-genome analyses in African populations. Additional work examines cerebral oxygenation monitoring at birth and emerging neuroprotective therapies. These studies highlight expertise in systematic reviews, genomic methods, and evidence synthesis aimed at informing context-appropriate interventions.

A parallel focus on neonatal infections and antimicrobial stewardship includes genomic epidemiology of invasive pathogens, antimicrobial utilization in paediatric settings, and long-term neurodevelopment after sepsis. Contributions to international resuscitation consensus statements and implementation science in neonatal units underscore leadership in guideline development and multidisciplinary quality improvement across South African hospitals.