The article talks about the World Health Organization (WHO) have been sending safe birth kits to developing nations. These kits are equipped with a razor blade to cut the umbilical cord, a plastic sheet, a blanket, soap, gloves and a step by step pictorial pamphlet of how to deliver a baby. This kit makes it easy enough for anyone to deliver a baby safely and correctly. Since the dispersal of the kits there has been a clear impact on the rate of infant mortality rates, they have gone down. So far the kits have not been dispersed in mass quantities and thus has not had a big effect on the rate of infant mortality, once these kits are circulated to all developing nations it will be key in protecting new born babies. So far these kits have been given out in India, Yemen and some African countries; the only problem with these kits is that they are given out for free and thus funding is a problem. This program is a wonderful initiative but funding is almost always a problem when it comes to giving out items. The UN could help but not effectively since they are stretched for funds themselves. The best way to keep this program running is to find a wealthy private sector or a NGO. Besides the funding issue, the kits seem to be live saving. They have the bare essentials to deliver a baby and make sure that the baby can survive the first minutes of life. More often than not a pregnant woman is unable to go to a clinic or hospital to deliver her child and usually she does not have the resources to deliver the baby either, this result in the high mortality rate. These kits make it possible for a woman to deliver her baby in her own home in a safer fashion than before. Again, these kits seem like a great idea. With financial help, they can make a great impact on the infant mortality rate.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/health/27birth.html?_r=2
The distribution of safe birth kits is a very unique and innovative method in preventing infant mortality. To anyone in a developed country, the idea seems a bit bizarre, as babies are generally delivered by a health care professional with decades of education and training. However, by noting the success of these low cost kits, it shows that a simple instructional guide and supply kit is enough to deliver a baby areas with limited health care. Hopefully, these kits do not get abused by being distributed to families who can afford going to a health care professional, but decide to do it at home themselves instead to save money.
ReplyDeleteIt is encouraging to hear the success of these birthing kits in developing regions of the world. Educating those on how to properly deliver newborns will greatly reduce the child mortality rate. In addition to the education, useful tools will also prevent any mishaps. With the WHO receiving aid from other sponsors, the continuation of distributing the birth kits is a possibility.
ReplyDeleteIt’s great that WHO has created these innovative birth kits to developing countries. They will help improve maternal health and prenatal health for woman and children. These kits need to be spread to more developing countries and areas where they are needed.
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