Helping Babies Breathe was a very successful pilot project conducted in the Jeremie and Leon Circuits. The classes were sponsored by Hearts for Haiti and lead by Dr. Bruce McIntosh from Orange Park UMC in Jacksonville FL.
The class is an adaptation of the American Academy of Pediatrics program to be used in under developed countries that do not have access of essential pieces of equipment.
The program teaches birth attendants how to ensure that newborn babies start breathing properly in their first few minutes of life. Use of this procedure can reduce neonatal mortality by as much as 47%.
Four Haitian doctors and nurses were trained as trainers as well as 67 birth attendants.
The plan is to extend this program to the other Circuits in Haiti establishing trained trainers to continue the program. The cost to train four trainers and 80 class participants was under $5,000 for consumable supplies, transportation for the birth attendants to attend classes and lunch.
If you are interested in sponsoring future classes we are developing a detailed “How to conduct the Class” Workbook and Dr. Bruce and the Hearts for Haiti Team are eager to assist you.
Helping Babies Breathe Poster in Kreyol
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