Physical Health Kenya Project #8871

Helping Babies Breathe

by American Academy of Pediatrics

Project Report | Jan 16, 2013
December 2012 HBB Report

By Eileen Schoen | Manager, Helping Babies Breathe Initiative

Helping Babies Breathe^® Project Report December 2012

Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) continues rapid implementation, particularly throughout Eastern Africa. It has been introduced into 51 countries now, 21 of which are supported by USAID. Of these countries, about 10 have developed national rollout plans.

Our many partners have supported the training of at least 98,000 health providers since the launch in June 2010. Preliminary data from one country in Africa shows a 45% decline in newborn deaths from birth asphyxia. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has continues to work on their impact evaluation of HBB in Kenya. We look forward to positive results from that study.

Notable accomplishments for this period include:

Planning for a stakeholder meeting in the spring is underway, thanks to the support of Johnson and Johnson. The AAP continues to strive for consensus with all country stakeholders to develop a plan for country-wide scale up.
Dr Sherri Bucher, Principal Investigator for the educational validation of HBB in Eldoret has recently received approval for a grant from the Laerdal Foundation – “Using mobile phones to support neonatal resuscitation training in Africa.” Sherri has the support of the National Resuscitation Council of Kenya and is committed to the advancement of HBB training throughout the country.
John Wachira, Chairman of the Resuscitation Council of Kenya, is working to engage the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to support implementation of HBB and Essential Newborn Care; however, efforts are stalled due to the upcoming election in March 2013. We hope to have further commitment from the new administration.

The AAP and our many HBB implementing partners continue to appreciate the generosity of all those who have supported the HBB initiative. Please feel free to contact us at hbb@aap.org if you have any ideas to spread the word about HBB.

Submitted by Eileen Hopkins Schoen, Manager, Helping Babies Breathe Initiative, American Academy of Pediatrics.

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