The Health workers in Ebonyi State have said the Ambu bags and masks supplied by the United States Agency for International Development’s Integrated Health Programme (USAID-IHP) to health centers in the state had helped save the lives of new-born in Ebonyi State.
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Some of the health workers who made the disclosure to the media Abakaliki, during a facility visit to selected USAID-IHP- supported health facilities maintained that the Ambu bag and mask supplied to the health facility had helped to resuscitate and save the lives of newborn babies who were having difficulty in breathing.
A junior community health extension worker at the Maternal and Child Healthcare facility, MCH Okposi Umuogharu, Ezza North local government area, Miss Igwe Charity, said before the USAID intervention, they were referring newborns with such cases to the teaching hospitals, thereby endangering their chances of survival.
“In February this year, we had cases of newborn babies having difficulty in breathing, but with the help of the Ambu bag and mask supplied to us by the USAID-IHP, we were able to resuscitate the babies, and they started breathing well,’’ she said.
Another health worker at the Echi-Alike Maternal and Child Healthcare Facility, Miss Adaora Uchenna, said the number of women and children who now use the center had increased since the intervention of the USAID IHP.
“Before now, 10–12 women used to deliver in a quarter; now, with the provision of basic equipment on MNH, Child Health and Family Planning like big instrument tray, big kidney dishes, gallipots with cover, delivery is now easier and safer in the center,” she said.
Other essential equipment provided by the agency includes Long artery forceps, knockers, cord scissors, Nontooth dissecting forceps, needle holder, episiotomy scissors, cord clamp, drapes, bag and mask, Penguine bulb, Kelly’s force, sponge holding force, long artery forceps, small artery forceps, among others.
“We now have over 10–23 women delivering at the facility on a monthly basis,” she added.