This course is aimed at Medical Officers, Registered Nurses (General & Speciality), Primary Care Nurse Specialists, Midwives, Programme Coordinators (Facility & Community Based Services), Programme Managers, WCGHW Trainers, WCCN Lecturers and Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Health Professionals in primary care facilities. 

The purpose of this training is to ensure that health professionals are aware of the necessary knowledge and skills required to optimize growth and development, identify and treat complications, recognise, management, and successfully refer preterm infants; aiming to improve the outpatient and emergency care of preterm infants at the primary level.

About the course

  • Course Design: Self-directed

  • Duration: It will take about 2.5 - 3 hours to complete.

  • Eligibility for this course: Medical Officers, Registered Nurses (General & Speciality), Primary Care Nurse Specialists, Midwives, Programme Coordinators (Facility & Community Based Services), Programme Managers, WCGHW Trainers, WCCN Lecturers and Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Health Professionals

  • Accreditation: This course is accredited for:
    • HPCSA: 2 Clinical CPD points (Level 1)
    • WCDHW Nursing CPD accreditation: 3 points (1 in Area of Practice; 2 in Actioning)

  • Certification: Participants need 70% pass mark for final quiz.

  • Published: April 2026

If you meet the eligibility criteria, apply to start:

Your supervisor details are required

Apply to enroll

Course outline

This course covers the following content:

Outpatient Care of the Preterm Infant including:
  • Definitions and classification of prematurity
  • Vulnerabilities of preterm infants
  • Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)
  • Feeding
  • Growth
  • Acute illness in the preterm infant
  • Common problems in preterm infants


Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness
People Development Centre

Acknowledgements:

  • University of Cape Town’s Knowledge & Instructional Development (KIDS) Training Hub
  • Knowledge Translation Unit