Scaling Up Interventions to Manage Birth Asphyxia in Bangladesh

1. Scaling Up Interventions to Manage Birth Asphyxia in Bangladesh Prof. (Dr.) Mohammod Shahidullah Chairman, Dept. of Neonatology and Pro-Vice Chancellor, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Dhaka, Bangladesh

2. Where do newborn babies die? 1.5 million (38%of all newborn deaths) occur in 4 countries of South Asia 99% of newborn deaths are in low/middle income countries 66% in Africa and South Asia

3. 4 million newborn deaths – Why?almost all are due to preventable conditions

4. Global situation 3% of all newborns in developing countries suffer from birth asphyxia, of which 23% die within neonatal period & an equal number develop neurological sequelae (WHO). More than two-thirds of all newborn deaths (2.7 million out of 4 million each year) occur in just 10 countries. Many of these countries have very large populations (such as India and China) others have very high percentage of newborns dying (such as Afghanistan, Congo and Tanzania) countries

5. Bangaldesh situation: Trends-Child, Infant, Neonatal mortality rates Significant Reduction in U-5 and Infant Mortality, NMR Stagnant since Mid-90s Source: BDHS 1993 - 2007

6. Neonatal deaths- 57% of all <5 deaths One neonate dies every 3-4 minutes Neonatal death per year is 120,000 Bangladesh situation: Neonatal mortality

7. Bangladesh situation: Causes of neonatal deaths Infection: 50% Asphyxia : 21% LBW/PT : 11% BDHS:2004

8. Most newborn mortality occurs in first 7 days of life – up to 50% in first 24 hours Asphyxia Infection LBW South Asia Newborn Health Investigators Group (Unpublished)

9. Bangladesh situation 3.8 million babies born/yr in Bangladesh of which 120000 die in the first 28 days of life. 85% of these deaths are due to perinatal asphyxia, low birth weight (LBW) and neonatal sepsis Hospital based study in Bangladesh -- 30 to 50% of total Neonatal admission and over 50% of deaths are related to birth asphyxia.

10. Formulated in a participatory manner Endorsed by the MOH&FW in May 2009 Focused on – Coverage and capacity Management of infection, asphyxia and LBW Stronger systems to facilitate community and facility level implementation of interventions Ensure policy and resource commitment Now in the process of developing the action plan Bangladesh National Neonatal Health Strategies and Guidelines (NNHS)

11. Key strategies – Increase capacity for identification Strengthening awareness on risk factors and preventive measures Increase coverage and quality of ANC and identification of high risk cases Increase capacity for early management Improve post resuscitation referral and management Addressing birth asphyxia in NNHS

12. Key actions – For all levels: Increased coverage of skilled birth attendance Establish referral linkage Improve GO-NGO partnership Develop comprehensive BCC plan For community level: Raise awareness Build family capacity Training of community based workers First line eclampsia management Addressing birth asphyxia in NNHS

13. Key actions – For facility levels Enhance capacity for initial and prompt management Enhance capacity for management for antenatal and obstetric complications Enhance capacity for post complication management Addressing birth asphyxia in NNHS

14. HBB Initiative: A feasibility study in building skill in birth asphyxia management Addressing birth asphyxia in NNHS

15. A training module (for resuscitation) has been developed by AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) Application was called to test the module: Proposal submitted from BSMMU Initially two countries ware selected- India and Kenya AAP proposed to arrange grant from other source; USAID supported through field funding Local management support will be given through Save the Children USA through MCHIP(MaMoni) HBB: Background

16. The goal of this HBB initiative is to improve the knowledge and skill of the skilled birth attendant (doctors, nurses, FWVs, FWAs, paramedics) to identify and manage the newborn having birth asphyxia. It ultimately will help to reduce neonatal mortality due to birth asphyxia. HBB: Goal

17. To achieve the above goal the following objectives are identified: To train the service providers (doctors, nurses, FWVs, FWAs, Paramedics) of selected Government and non-government hospitals on essential newborn care and newborn resuscitation To train skilled birth attendant (FWV, FWA, Female health assistant) working at community level on Essential Newborn Care (ENC) and newborn resuscitation HBB: Objectives

18. To increase the capacity of skilled birth attendants (SBA) for identification of new-born having birth asphyxia To increase the capacity for bag and mask and mouth to mouth resuscitation measures for the SBA involved in neonatal care To improve post-resuscitation referral and care. HBB: Objectives

19. HBB: Interventions Adaptation, test and introduction of standard HBB curriculum on Essential newborn care and neonatal resuscitation Setting up of a system of training , supervision, monitoring and referral for different level health system To train master trainers and trainers on HBB curriculum (Two master trainers trained in India) To train service providers (doctors, nurses, FWVs, FWAs, Paramedics) on essential new-born care (ENC) and newborn resuscitation in target areas

20. HBB: Scaling up through NNHS In NNHS there is provision for operation research on Birth Asphyxia management, sepsis management, management of Pre-term and LBW both in facilities and community. Considering the above point this HBB study finding can be used for scaling up of Birth asphyxia management as per provision of NNHS. The HBB Technical Advisory Group (TAG) will act as an interface and advocate for scale up at a national level

21. Thank You