SWAP project pioneers technology for life-saving treatment in neonatal

The Saving Women and Premature Babies (SWAP) project, a flagship initiative led by Save the Children in Bangladesh in collaboration with the National Newborn Health Programme (NNHP) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), officially concluded with a Learning Dissemination and Celebration Event held in Dhaka.

Launched in April 2022, the SWAP project aimed to reduce preventable maternal and neonatal deaths by enhancing the quality of care for small and sick newborns (SSNBs) and women experiencing complications during pregnancy.

The project was implemented across five public and private health facilities in Dhaka, Sylhet, and Lakshmipur, significantly strengthening clinical practices and health systems in these regions.

The event, themed “Improving Survival: SWAP’s Journey to Save Women and Premature Babies,” brought together key dignitaries from the Government of Bangladesh, the health sector, and development partners.

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah, President of BCPS and Chairperson of NTWC-NBH, attended as the Chief Guest. Dr. Md. Zainal Abedin Tito, Line Director of Health System Management (HSM), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), presided over the event and emphasized the need to scale up innovative solutions that have demonstrated impact.

Other designated guests were:

Dr. Md Sohel Habib, Line Director, MCRAH

Dr. Md Sultan Ahmed, Director, MCH Services, DGFP

Prof. Major (Rtd) Dr. Laila Arjumand Banu, President BPS

Brig. Gen. Dr. Umar Rashid Munir, Director, SOMCH

Prof. Dr. Abid Hossain Mollah, Professor of Paediatrics

Dr. Sabina Ashrafee Lipi, DPM, Training and Child Injury, NNHP & IMCI, DGHSmong the project’s notable achievements was the introduction of the Vayu bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (bCPAP) system, a cost-effective and electricity-independent solution for managing neonatal respiratory distress.

The device was deployed in tertiary hospitals and district-level facilities, including:

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU)

Sylhet Medical College Hospital

MR Khan Shishu Hospital

Mohammadpur Fertility Services and Training Centre (MFSTC)

Lakshmipur District Hospital

As of February 2024, 304 newborns were successfully treated using the Vayu bCPAP system in these facilities.

Health service providers reported high satisfaction with the device, citing its user-friendly design, portability, and electricity independence — ideal for low-resource settings. Medical professionals advocated for its national scale-up to help reduce neonatal mortality.

The event also highlighted other interventions piloted under SWAP, including:

Family-Centered Care (FCC)

Neonatal Life (NNL) training platforms

These contributed to improved outcomes for mothers and newborns. The SWAP project addressed both clinical and systemic barriers to quality care, laying the groundwork for sustainable improvements in maternal and neonatal health services in Bangladesh.

Quotes:

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah

“I sincerely thank our implementing partners, especially Save the Children, for their innovative efforts like introducing the low-cost Vayu bubble CPAP. The hands-on training through NeoNatalie Live has been impactful… As Chairperson of NTWC-NBH, I reaffirm our strong commitment to sustaining and scaling up maternal and newborn health interventions.”

Dr. Md. Zainal Abedin Tito

“We have come a long way… Moving forward, it is crucial to extend these interventions of SWAP to the Upazila level… The lessons learned from the SWAP project can significantly contribute to this.”

A.S.M. Rahmat Ullah, Deputy Country Director, Save the Children

“We are proud of the successful implementation… and planning to scale up these interventions further. The valuable learnings from SWAP will inform future projects and health policy planning…”