Prof. Anthony Kovac, Prof. Ahmed Nuhu Zakaria with the HBB mannequin on display
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has received 150 new Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) mannequins from Professor Anthony Kovac of Kansas Medical Centre, USA.
The donation exercises, an initiative by the American Academy of Pediatrics, aim to empower Ghanaian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) with a specific focus on newborn resuscitation to combat birth asphyxia, a leading cause of neonatal death.
The mannequins, worth over $20,000, will be used to train EMTs across the 16 local NAS regional districts on simple, evidence-based life-saving techniques, such as tactile stimulation and nasal aspiration to advance emergency practices.
Addressing the media, Prof. Anthony Kovac emphasised the relevance of HBB mannequins in the training for emergency service delivery.
The donation according to him, signifies the fulfillment of his promise to invest in the health sector and the well-being of Ghanaian children, indicating that, “through a generous research grant, we have acquired and donated 150 new HBB mannequins, strategically allocated to all 16 local NAS regional district levels, NAS schools and headquarters.”
Prof. Anthony Kovac said the strategic distribution of the mannequins will ensure that EMTs across Ghana are well-equipped to address the critical challenges of newborn resuscitation.
“The success of this initiative ensures the seamless dissemination of further HBB training throughout all EMT regions of Ghana, contributing to a strengthened capacity to address newborn resuscitation challenges,” he stated.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Ambulance Service, Professor Ahmed Nuhu Zakaria, expressed gratitude to Prof. Anthony Kovac, for donating the 150 mannequins, which will help enhance the training of EMTs to reduce the challenges of newborn resuscitation.
He said Prof. Anthony Kovac, upon knowing the NAS deficiency of HBB mannequins, made a generous donation to the services to aid and train service personnel.
“The ambulance service is very grateful for Prof’s support in providing us with baby mannequins. He has also been organising refresher training programs for EMTs, nurses and doctors anastasis for the Okomfo Anokye Hospital,” he added.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke