Nestlé donates resuscitation kits to Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe
The NNIA donated 63 neonatal resuscitation kits valued at US$7 000 to the Ministry of Health and Child Care. This took place at a colourful handover ceremony held at the Ministry of Health and Child Care Head Office on 22 March 2018.
Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Health and Child Care, Principal Director Preventive Services, Dr Gibson Mhlanga, commented on the importance of the event. “We would like to thank the NNIA for heeding our call and providing 63 neonatal resuscitation kits valued at $7 000 to be used for the training. This signifies great private sector support aimed at reducing the national neonatal morbidity and mortality rates.”
The Director of Family Health Dr Bernard Madzima, also commended the donation, pointing out that it will go a long way in capacitating the Help Babies Breathe (HBB) programme.
The HBB programme is an intervention targeted to reduce preventable neonatal deaths from birth asphyxia.
“The Ministry, with the support from partners, has managed to train service providers across the country in neonatal resuscitation through a programme called Helping Babies Breathe so as to prevent deaths that are caused by birth asphyxia that occur around the time of birth,” said Dr Madzima.
NNIA Board Member Ms Irene Sambo said that the kits were bought upon a request from the Ministry of Health and Child Care. “This donation will boost available material to ensure effective training for healthcare professionals. It will help to reduce neonatal mortality in Zimbabwe which currently stands at 29 per 1 000,”she said.
She pledged the NNIA’s support to the HBB programme. “NNIA will be offering support in conducting trainings. We hope that through this initiative we will together strengthen Healthcare Professional capacity in neonatal care,” she said.
“NNIA is an educational multi-disciplinary organisation dedicated to the science of nutrition partnerships and collaboration to create synergies towards the positive development of our society which are very critical,” she explained.
Global goals state that by 2030 countries should end preventable deaths of new-borns. All countries are aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1 000 live births. In light of this Zimbabwe also set a target to reduce national neonatal mortality to at least 20 per 1 000 live deaths by 2020.
