A remarkable partnership has developed between the Church-sponsored Neonatal Resuscitation Training Program, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan over the past several years. All three entities are strongly dedicated and committed to making the training and equipment available in all delivery rooms in Kyrgyzstan so that babies who are not breathing at birth can be saved.
In 2008 there were no ventilating bags and masks in the delivery rooms in Kyrgyzstan. By 2010, all hospitals had at least one bag and mask, and large facilities were equipped with several, thanks to a donation made by the Church.
Today, five delivery rooms of Batken Regional Combined Hospital are equipped with delivery room sets consisting of ventilating bags, masks and stethoscopes. Dr. Aigul Saparova, chief neonatologist of the hospital, relates the importance of this equipment and training:
"On June 25, 2011, a pregnant mother came to the hospital in great pain and heavy labor. Her expected twins were just 34 weeks gestation. She was immediately rushed to the delivery room where her first baby — a little girl in the breech position — was soon delivered. This baby was not breathing, was floppy, blue and covered with meconium.
"The neonatologist immediately began the initial steps of resuscitation, during which the baby did not improve and was still not breathing. He then began ventilation with the bag and mask.
"Meanwhile the second baby — a little boy — was delivered. He, too, was floppy and blue, covered with meconium and was breathing irregularly. The obstetrician and midwife began resuscitation on him, which also progressed to using a bag and mask.
"Both babies started to improve; they began to breathe, turned pink, and their heart rate increased. Both babies were saved."
Dr. Aigul continued: "A year ago, when there was only one ventilating bag in our hospital, our doctors had to make a hard choice: Which baby shall we save? This time they didn't have to make that choice. Owing to the availability of bags and masks and our training, we saved two babies." — Marcia Bennett, Welfare Services
