Neonatal Resuscitation Protocol

Neonatal resuscitation is a critical skill for all healthcare providers attending deliveries, covered extensively in Zambian obstetrics, pediatrics, and midwifery programs. This topic follows the structured algorithm of the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) initiative: thermal protection, airway clearing, stimulation, and if needed, positive-pressure ventilation and chest compressions. Students learn to assess the newborn using the Apgar score, manage meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and administer medications like epinephrine. The curriculum emphasizes teamwork, equipment use, and post-resuscitation care. Perinatal asphyxia remains a major cause of neonatal death in Zambia, making this training vital for improving newborn survival. Mastery of neonatal resuscitation is mandatory for professional certification and is a lifesaving competency in delivery rooms across tertiary and district hospitals.