: More breathing devices needed for premature babies born in Ukraine #IndiaNEWS #International The war in Ukraine is increasing the risks of premature births and causing babies to need more oxygen,

Posted in: #IndiaNEWS #International #Ukraine

More breathing devices needed for premature babies born in Ukraine #IndiaNEWS #International
The war in Ukraine is increasing the risks of premature births and causing babies to need more oxygen, the spokesperson for a UN-backed global health initiative told the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday in Geneva.

“The war increases levels of stress in pregnant women, which leads to an increase in the number of premature births reported,�? Herve Verhoosel, Spokesperson for global health agency Unitaid, told journalists at a regular WHO press briefing.

The war in #Ukraine has increased the number of premature births. Premature babies are more likely to suffer from complications that require oxygen for treatment. Health agency @UNITAID has provided hundreds of life-saving devices to hospitals across Ukraine. pic. twitter. com/nGyHsZiyTb
— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) August 9, 2022

“Babies born prematurely are more likely to develop respiratory, neurological or digestive complications, conditions that often require oxygen for treatment�?.
Delivering oxygen
Along with partner, Vayu Global Health, Unitaid has provided 220 ultra-low cost, portable, electricity-free devices (bCPAP) and 125 oxygen blender systems.
The bCPAP device is a non-invasive way of ventilating newborns who are struggling to breathe. It allows for precise delivery of oxygen concentration, flow, and pressure, which can dramatically improve the chances of survival of newborns and infants.
Along with oxygen blender systems they prevent eye, lung and brain damages associated with giving babies pure oxygen provision.
“Together they supply infants with the breathing support and oxygen therapy they need,�? Mr. Verhoosel explained.
The device was granted FDA emergency use authorization to help in the fight against COVID-19.
While the devices can be used globally, they are particularly well suited for humanitarian crises or low-resource settings.
Life-saving electricity-free devices
Unitaid funding enabled FDA approval of the Vayu bCPAP system, its engineering and manufacturing in Kenya as well as specific support for Ukraine.
According to Mr. Verhoosel, to date 25 referral facilities across Ukraine have received the life-saving devices, 17 of which are perinatal centres.
The global health agency also organized initial in-person intensive training in Krakow, Poland, to support Ukrainian neonatologists and pediatricians who came from Lviv and provided 40 Vayu bCPAP systems for training and support in seven other hospitals throughout that region.
Building on the work in pediatric oxygen delivery that Vayu Global Health has carried out since September 2020, access has been widened in poor-resource settings.