Bubble CPAP therapy for paediatric severe pneumonia treatment in Nigeria – research focus in new PhD project
Damola Bakare recently presented his PhD project plans during his ISP seminar. His project focuses on the implementation of improvised bubble CPAP (bCPAP) for treating severe pediatric pneumonia in Nigeria. In this article, we delve deeper into his project goals and explore the motivations driving his research.
Congratulations on your successful ISP seminar! Could you share a bit about yourself and your background?
As a Public Health professional, I specialize in Epidemiology and Population Health, with a focus on under-5 child health, infectious disease prevention, and health systems strengthening in Nigeria. I’ve worked across multiple states in Nigeria, including Kano, Jigawa and Lagos, on critical research initiatives such as The INSPIRING Project—implementing interventions to reduce child mortality from pneumonia and vaccine-preventable diseases and The MOXY Project—evaluating oxygen delivery systems to improve clinical outcomes in Nigerian hospitals. My work combines quantitative epidemiology, program evaluation, and data-driven policy advocacy to bridge gaps in healthcare access and quality. I’m particularly passionate about community-centered research and scalable solutions that advance health equity in underserved populations.
What will be the focus of your PhD project?
The focus of my PhD project is the Implementation of Improvised bCPAP for Paediatric Severe Pneumonia Treatment in Nigeria. The overarching aim is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of bubble CPAP oxygen therapy in Nigerian hospitals using a mixed-methods implementation research approach. Specifically, I will assess context-specific challenges, clinical outcomes, and health system barriers to identify scalable strategies for wider adoption. Ultimately, this project seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system by improving access to life-saving respiratory support for children with severe pneumonia.
“My research is about more than data; it’s about translating findings into tangible actions that empower a nurse in Kiyawa or a mother in Ikorodu to save a child from preventable pneumonia deaths”
Are there any specific aspects of your research that you are particularly passionate about?
I am particularly passionate about ensuring life-saving innovations like bCPAP don’t just work in theory but are sustainably adopted in Nigeria’s real-world health systems. What drives me is the challenge of bridging the gap between clinical potential and context-specific implementation—whether it’s understanding frontline health workers’ experiences with the technology, tackling oxygen supply chain barriers, addressing care-seeking behaviors, optimizing treatment protocols, or co-designing solutions with communities. My research is about more than data; it’s about translating findings into tangible actions that empower a nurse in Kiyawa or a mother in Ikorodu to save a child from preventable pneumonia deaths. That intersection of innovation, human impact, and sustainability is where my deepest motivation lies.
Damola Bakare's main supervisor is Docent Carina King.
Co-supervisors are:
Professor Adegoke Falade, Oxygen for Life Initiative, Nigeria
Dr. Hamish Graham, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne University, Australia
Professor Adeola Fowotade, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Reviewer at the ISP seminar was Docent Tim Baker, GPH.