US Ambassador Dan Mozena yesterday assured Bangladesh of his country’s support to help it develop newborn care corners in new health programmes across the country.
“America will be supporting the development of such newborn care corners in new health programmes that are coming online,” he said while visiting Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the city.
BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Pran Gopal Datta and Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof M Shahidullah were present.
The US envoy also said since 60% of current child-under-five mortality occurs during the first 28 days of life; such facilities are essential to further cut child mortality.
The US diplomat said preventing asphyxia at birth is a key component of Bangladesh’s impressive Action Plan to End Preventable Child Deaths by 2035.
This dynamic, innovative public-private partnership brings good hope that Bangladesh can greatly reduce or even eliminate birth asphyxia,the cause of about 20 percent of newborn deaths in Bangladesh, Mozena said.
“Imagine that one simple intervention can have such a dramatic impact. You must be so proud of the leadership role that this institution plays in giving life to the next generation of Bangladeshis.”
He said their goal is to train more than 25,000 service providers in this innovative technique. “Of course, we can’t rest on our laurels …we must push on.”
The US envoy appreciated the role of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and said this was showing the way to save lives of newborns during that critical first minute, the golden minute of life.
“You have directly and indirectly trained over 17,000 birth attendants and health service providers at private and public health facilities across the nation on the use of a simple, innovative, yet most effective, bag and mask device that resuscitates babies who are experiencing breathing difficulties at birth.”
He said he is pleased and proud that America is Bangladesh’s great partner in helping Bangladeshi newborns take their first breath literally. “This grand medical center is a partner with America,
UNICEF and other friends of Bangladesh in the Helping Babies Breathe initiative.”
Mozena also mentioned that he was impressed by his visit to the Center for Neurodevelopment and Autism in Children. “The visit reminded me of my recent meeting at my home with Prime Minister’s daughter Putul, who has done so much to focus public and government attention on the challenges of autism in Bangladesh.”
He appreciated Bangladesh’s role in reducing child mortality and said, “You’re the champions of Bangladesh’s health revolution, a revolution that is accomplishing the unimaginable in slashing child mortality and maternal mortality and in enabling Bangladeshis to have the family size they want. Bangladesh must be so proud; you must be so proud.”
