Mama Ye Factsheet on Newborn Resuscitation in Tanzania 2014

To mark World Prematurity Day on 17 November 2014 Mama Ye have produced this Factsheet on Newborn Resuscitation in Tanzania. What is Newborn Resuscitation? Between 5 to 10% of all newborns require assistance to begin breathing at birth, this is called newborn (or neonatal) resuscitation. Basic newborn resuscitation can be provided using a bag and mask apparatus. Bag and mask resuscitation with room air is sufficient for more than 99% of babies that are not breathing at birth (called birth asphyxia). It is a high-impact intervention for saving newborn lives and preventing disability, and can prevent 10% of deaths in premature babies (when combined with immediate stimulation).Why does Newborn Resuscitation Matter in Tanzania? Tanzania has the eleventh largest number of newborn deaths in the world – every year 38,600 babies die within a month of birth4 and almost a third (11,900) of these deaths are due to intrapartum-related events (which includes failure to breathe).  Birth asphyxia does not have to result in death – simple interventions such as newborn resuscitation are available. However, qualified health workers with adequate training and skills for providing newborn care are in short supply.What can be done in Tanzania? Tanzania is poised to scale-up essential newborn care, including newborn resuscitation. Standardisation of newborn care across the country is needed, along with many more skilled nurses and midwives, with the essential drugs and commodities to provide essential newborn care within an efficient supply chain. Newborn resuscitation tools and technologies are simple and effective. Health workers need:Materials for training and job aids

• Suction devices
• Training manikins
• Resuscitation stations with overhead heater
• Newborn resuscitation devices (bag-and-appropriately-sized-mask)
• Clock with large face and second hand2

Tanzania is already taking important steps to reduce newborn deaths through newborn resuscitation, with the first phase of the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) Programme. It is a simple approach, including immediate drying, stimulation, and if necessary, resuscitation of newborn babies that are not breathing, all within the first minute after birth – ‘the Golden Minute’. With commitment, leadership, and support from experts at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and partners, the HBB programme has trained over 1000 health workers at 8 hospitals since 2009, resulting in significant reductions in stillbirths and reduced deaths for both premature and full-term babies. Provision of equipment, and a continued focus on training of midwives, are noted as critical in the success of the HBB programme.To build on this, and achieve an even greater effect, additional strategies are suggested to provide essential newborn care including temperature regulation and treatment of newborn infections, to avoid deaths later than the first 24 hours.In 2014, Tanzania committed to the Every Newborn Action Plan6 and the Sharpened One Plan. These strategies set out the priority solutions, and call for a united effort to dramatically reduce maternal and newborn deaths, and preventable stillbirths. We must prioritise the evidence-based, cost-effective and feasible solutions in all health facilities that provide pregnancy and delivery services, as well as ensure better data collection on pregnancy outcomes to enable responsive action where it is most needed.Learn about newborn resuscitation and take action.To view the factsheet in English, click here.To view the factsheet in Swahili, click here.Evidence for Action. (2014). Mama Ye Factsheet on Newborn Resuscitation in Tanzania 2014. London: Evidence for Action.