When seven-month-old Dayana arrived at a district hospital in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, her condition was critical. For several days, she had been battling a fever, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Her family, deeply worried, made the long journey from their village in search of help. By the time they arrived, Dayana was dangerously weak and struggling for every breath.

Fortunately, a nurse trained in Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) was on duty—and ready to act.

EECC is a simple but powerful approach to identifying and managing critical illness. It focuses on quick checks of vital signs, oxygen therapy, and timely supportive care to stabilise patients before their condition becomes fatal. These are basic actions, but they save lives—especially when seconds count.

The nurse immediately assessed Dayana’s vital signs. Her oxygen level was dangerously low, her breathing rapid, and her fever high. Without urgent treatment, she was at risk of death. The nurse began oxygen therapy right away and called in a doctor for support. Together, they continued her care and moved her to the children’s ward.

There, oxygen therapy was continued, and further tests revealed Dayana had pneumonia—a serious but treatable infection. She was started on antibiotics, and the nurses carefully monitored her condition, regularly checking her breathing, heart rate, temperature, oxygen levels and other vital signs. As her body fought the infection, the care team adjusted her oxygen treatment to ensure she stayed stable.

By the end of the week, the transformation was remarkable. Dayana was no longer relying on oxygen. She was alert, breathing comfortably, and full of energy—once again the happy, playful baby her family knew and loved.

Dayana’s story shows the difference EECC can make. Low oxygen levels can kill quickly, especially in young children. But with training, basic equipment, and rapid action, health workers can spot the signs of danger and act before it’s too late.

At EECC Global, we work to make sure hospitals—even those in remote or under-resourced areas—are ready to deliver this kind of essential care. Because no child should die from a cause that EECC could prevent, and no family should have to face such loss.

This is EECC in action: simple, timely, life-saving care—bringing children like Dayana back from the brink.

A Life Saved in Minutes: How EECC Helped Baby Dayana Breathe Again

Fast Action After Childbirth: How EECC Helped Save Diana’s Life