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 on Wednesday 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.
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Prof. Mohammad Shahidullah, president of BCPS and chairperson of NTWC-NBH, attended as the Chief Guest while 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.
Among 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), and Lakshmipur District Hospital. As of February 2024, 304 newborns were successfully treated using the Vayu bCPAP system in these facilities.
Health service providers across project sites reported high satisfaction with the device, citing its user-friendly design, portability, and non-reliance on electricity, making it particularly suitable for low-resource and remote settings. Medical professionals advocated for its national scale-up, recognizing its potential to reduce neonatal mortality significantly.
The event also highlighted other critical interventions piloted under SWAP, including Family-Centered Care (FCC) and Neonatal Life (NNL) training platforms, which have collectively contributed to improved outcomes for mothers and newborns.
By addressing both clinical and systemic barriers to quality care, the SWAP project has laid the groundwork for sustainable improvements in maternal and neonatal health services in Bangladesh. The learnings and innovations generated through this initiative offer a robust foundation for future policy development and health system strengthening efforts nationwide.
Acknowledging the project’s transformative impact on neonatal health services, Mohammad Shahidullah said the hands-on training through NeoNatalie Live has been impactful.
"Together, we must continue prioritizing mothers for the betterment of every newborn’s future. As the Chairperson of NTWC-NBH, I reaffirm our strong commitment to sustaining and scaling up maternal and newborn health interventions,”he said.
Zainal Abedin Tito chaired the event and emphasized the importance of scaling up proven interventions. He stated, “We have come a long way, and it was only possible due to the collective efforts and cooperation of everyone involved. Moving forward, it is crucial to extend these interventions of SWAP to the Upazila level"
A.S.M. Rahmat Ullah, Deputy Country Director, Save the Children in Bangladesh, applauded the commitment of frontline health workers and partners throughout the journey.