The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is an ongoing project that teaches doctors, nurses and midwives throughout Jamaica how to resuscitate newborns. Community Hospitals and Health Centers (where midwives deliver babies in rural areas) send staff in each region to one all day session.  The cost to Friends of Jamaica to conduct each session is $75 to $90 per person.  Sessions are taught by instructors from the US with the assistance of doctors in Jamaica.  Plans are underway to certify more Jamaican doctors
as instructors in an effort to make classes available to more people. When the project began, a generous donation of 5 Infant Manikins was made by FOJ supporter Steve Penza and his family in memory of Lois Blackstun.  We need your donations to continue this important project.

Anticipated classes: November 2008

Summary of number of health professionals certified through March 2008:

96 Doctors

108 Nurses/Midwives

 

NRP teaches medical staff what to do when a baby is born who is not breathing. It is estimated that 10% of newborn babies worldwide need some help at birth to begin breathing, and will benefit from the techniques taught by NRP. In the US, anyone who cares for newborn babies should be certified in NRP. Before Friends of Jamaica began teaching NRP, the class was not taught in Jamaica. In the past, at many hospitals and all birthing centers, babies needing resuscitation had to wait for a doctor to come to treat them. Some of the babies who are deprived of oxygen at birth survive - but with brain damage. If babies are helped to begin breathing quickly, most will do well. With NRP training, the doctors, nurses and midwives have the skills necessary to help their tiny patients.