In Ghana, where accessing healthcare in remote regions remains a challenge, innovative initiatives like the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) Program are making a significant impact. Launched in 2021 through the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity (CBHP), this program focuses on reducing neonatal mortality due to birth asphyxia, especially in areas with limited healthcare resources.

The Helping Babies Breathe Program is part of a global effort by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to provide neonatal resuscitation training during the critical “Golden Minute” after birth. Birth asphyxia is a major contributor to neonatal deaths in Ghana, making it a pressing issue to address. The program has already proven effective in several resource-limited countries.

We owe the introduction of this impactful program to Dr. Robert Clark, a dedicated family physician with extensive experience in healthcare improvement and provider training in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Clark, a valued donor and partner, recognized the potential of the HBB Program and played a primary role in its implementation. Dr. Clark noted his involvement with HBB is rooted in his 40-year career as a family physician. Clark said, “I’ve delivered babies, cared for infants, and watched them grow. This experience ignited my passion to save maternal lives, reduce childbirth suffering, and ensuring newborns thrive. These goals are central to my work in family medicine, and I aim to extend this knowledge and resources to countries with fewer resources.”

In partnership with Ensign Global College in Kpong, Ghana, CBHP worked to implement the program within the Eastern Region of Ghana. It involved U.S. and local Ghanaian trainers and coordinators conducting a Training of Trainers event in November 2021. After training various healthcare employees with the HBB curriculum and providing the facilities with teaching practice and clinical supplies generously donated by LDS Charities, the results were highly encouraging, with participants demonstrating proficiency in neonatal resuscitation techniques.

Throughout the 15-month program, neonatal health metrics were closely monitored across 43 facilities in the Lower Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo Municipalities. The program’s positive outcomes included an increase in vaginal deliveries, a decrease in low Apgar scores, and improved discharge rates for sick newborns. These achievements are especially significant in facilities that are already performing well.

The Helping Ghanaian Babies Breathe Program is not just about immediate impact; it’s about building a sustainable framework for improved neonatal health outcomes. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when communities come together and collaborate with the formal healthcare system. Clark said, “Saving newborn lives is achievable through simple, low-tech equipment, continuous training, and maintenance of healthcare workers’ skills. These three elements – minimal, low-tech equipment, ongoing training, and skill upkeep – make a significant difference in saving newborn lives, particularly in resource-depleted countries.

With the success of this pilot program, exploration for opportunities for scaling HBB to reach even more communities in need is underway. The journey to bridge healthcare gaps in underserved regions is ongoing, and the HBB Program in Ghana has set a remarkable example of what can be achieved through dedication and partnership.

For more details, see our full report HERE.