DHAKA: US Ambassador Dan Mozena visited Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in the city on Wednesday morning to observe different development works funded by USAID.

He visited Intensive Care Unit for neonatal, Center for Nero Development Autism in children, Centre for palliative Care, Helping Babies Breed, newly constructed outdoor and various departments and different projects.

Later the US envoy joined a discussion with teachers, senior officers, members of various faculties’ head of the different office and senior nurses at Shaheed Dr Milon Hall of the varsity.

BSMMU has now trained more than 17,000 health service providers across Bangladesh on the use of a simple bag and mask device designed to resuscitate babies who experience asphyxia symptoms.

The US ambassador gave a special praise to BSMMU’s leadership and the use of a simple bag and mask device designed to resuscitate the newborn babies who experience asphyxia symptoms (breathing difficulties) through the Helping Babies Breathe initiative

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.”

Asphyxia, or oxygen deprivation, is the second leading cause of newborn death that claims the lives of 21,500 babies each year in Bangladesh.

Preventing asphyxia at birth is one of the key components of Bangladesh’s Action Plan to End Preventable Child Deaths by 2035.

The discussion was attended, among others, by Pro-vice Chancellor (Education) professor Dr. Md Ruhul Amin Mia, Treasurer Professor Md Julfikar Rahman Khan, Registrar professor Md Saidur Rahman, Proctor Professor Dr SM Jakaria and directors of the hospital.  
 
Helping Babies Breed is the project implemented by BSMMU under Ministry of Health and Family Planning and funded by USAID.

The objectives of the project are to provide necessary equipments and training program on management of breathing complexities of neonatal.

The US Government, through USAID, has provided over $6 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since 1971. In 2012 alone, USAID provided more than $200 million to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh.

BDST: 1600 HRS, AUG 28, 2013
SR/AKA/GCP