DHAKA: Some 120,000 babies die within the first month of birth in the country and asphyxia contributes 21 percent to the neonatal deaths, according to a study finding.  

"Affordable newborn resuscitation training materials and devices and improving the competence of birth attendants could reduce maximum rate of child mortality," says the study report.

The pilot study on Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) was conducted by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) with the help of USAID and UNICEF.

The purpose of the six-month-long study was to teach the birth attendants the procedure of ensuring normal breathing of the newborns.

BSMMU Sunday formally disseminated the findings at a national seminar and stakeholders` consultation at a city hotel. Professor M Shahidullah, Pro-VC of the university and Principal Investigator of the study, presented the findings.    

Addressing the seminar Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr AFM Ruhal Haque said the government would take initiative soon on the basis of the study findings across the country.

“I do not believe in piloting. I want to start main work within the shortest possible time, and we will take plan as soon as possible," he told the medicos.

The Minister also underscored the need for integrated programmes instead of isolated programmes to control the child and maternal mortality in the country.

He also said the government is working to establish the community clinics as the basic healthcare centres in the rural areas.

Addressing as the chair, Vice-chancellor of BSMMU Professor Pran Gopal Dutta said as a knowledge-generating institution the university found out the findings

"Now it’s for the government to implement the findings," he said.

Denise Rollins, Director of USAID Bangladesh Mission, and Health Secretary Humayun Kabir, among others, spoke at the seminar.

BDST: 1457 HRS, SEPT 05, 2010.