Helping Babies Breathe

Summary

Helping Babies Breathe (HBB), is an evidence-based educational program of the American Academy of Pediatrics, to teach neonatal resuscitation techniques in resource-limited areas. The objective of HBB is to train birth attendants in developing countries in the skills of newborn resuscitation, with the goal of having at least one person skilled in neonatal resuscitation at the birth of every child. Gifts to HBB are processed through the Friends of Children Fund, the philanthropic arm of the AAP

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one million babies die each year from birth asphyxia (eg. inability to breathe immediately after delivery). The HBB program addresses this challenge as well as helping to move forward Millennium Development Goal #4 (MDG4) a reduction of child mortality by two thirds from 1990 to 2015.

How will this project solve this problem?

By training birth attendants in developing countries in the essential skills of newborn resuscitation, the goal of having at least one person who is skilled in neonatal resuscitation at the birth of every baby is a reality.

Potential Long Term Impact

Helping Babies Breathe when fully activated is projected to save 1 million newborn lives every year.

Project Message

On the HBB training: "We thought the child already died, but watched as Minara revived her, because of her training" remarked Minara's family. Shifa is now a six- week-old, healthy baby girl.
- Minara Khan, Mother of infant resussitated by a birth attendant

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources

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