Saving Babies' Lives has been on a steadfast mission to enhance neonatal care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) of Mauritius. A critical aspect of this mission is equipping healthcare professionals with the latest knowledge and skills. Our recent medical mission trips have highlighted the profound impact of clinical education on the quality of care delivered to the tiniest patients.
April 2023: Neonatal Resuscitation Program
In April 2023, Neonatal Resuscitation Program instructors, Rebecca Kennedy, RN, and Alexa Gunsolley, RN, and Arvin Bundhoo, MD, lead an education session in the vibrant capital of Mauritius, Port Louis. Their mission? To lecture on resuscitation topics specifically for NICU nurses and midwives. Sponsored by Nutricia, The session was designed to encourage clinical staff members to ask questions, share experiences, and refresh their hands-on skills in neonatal resuscitation. More than fifty dedicated nurses and midwives gathered to focus on their education and skills, eager to provide the best care possible for the newborns in their units. Adding to the significance of the event, Saving Babies' Lives donated a new resuscitation mannequin to aid in their training.
August 2023: Helping Babies Breathe
The commitment to empowering healthcare professionals continued in August 2023 with a second medical mission trip. This time, the spotlight was on an all-day education session for neonatal hospital staff. Again, representatives from Nutricia generously donated event space and invited NICU clinicians to the session. Naveed Hussain, MD, along with experienced NICU nurses Kathy Miller, RN, Tina Topor, RN, Donna Commendatore, RN, and Maureen Gaspar, RN, took the lead in training nurses and midwives in the "Helping Babies Breathe" program. This program is specifically designed to teach essential neonatal resuscitation and newborn care skills to reduce early neonatal mortality.
What sets this program apart is the opportunity it offers for nurses to become Helping Babies Breathe trainers. Select nurses who attended this session can now further their education and, in turn, teach their clinical colleagues these vital skills. This ensures that all team members caring for newborns are equipped with the confidence and competence required for the initial resuscitation steps, thus enhancing the level of care delivered in the NICUs.
Ongoing Commitment: Nursing Education via Zoom
As Saving Babies' Lives continues its mission in Mauritius, the dedication to clinical education persists. The team of volunteer nurses, Olivia Shammas, Alexa Gunsolley, Rebecca Kennedy, Tina Topor, Maureen Gaspar, Donna Commendatore, and Kathy Miller, remains steadfast in their commitment to nursing education. They facilitate ongoing sessions via Zoom, ensuring that the knowledge and skills imparted during these medical mission trips remain up-to-date and accessible.
Saving Babies' Lives' mission in Mauritius is not just about saving lives—it's about providing the highest quality of care to the most vulnerable members of society. The commitment to clinical education, as exemplified by these medical mission trips and ongoing Zoom sessions, underscores the organization's dedication to the cause. Through education, healthcare professionals in Mauritius are empowered to provide optimal care to newborns in NICUs, reducing neonatal mortality and ensuring a brighter, healthier future for the tiniest island residents. This journey is a testament to the power of education and the unwavering dedication of those who believe in saving babies' lives.
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