Training of obstetric nurses in neonatal life support

Perinatal asphyxia remains a major cause of neonatal death, especially in developing countries such as Suriname. Literature shows that continuous training of obstetric nurses can help improve outcome of newborns. In 2015 the first on site training in basic neonatal life support was provided for obstetric nurses of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo and other hospitals in Paramaribo. They were trained in assessment of sick newborns and basic skills in the prevention of asphyxia. The nurses reported to feel more assured after the training and he course was repeated in 2017 with similar results. We intend to provide this training periodically and free of charge for all obstetric nurses in Suriname.