UK based charity, Baby Lifeline, are shipping their award-winning out-of-hospital birth bags into Ukraine to address the risk posed to expectant mothers unable to access maternity wards or medical facilities due to the conflict. These highly transportable and comprehensive packs were designed by midwives, paramedics, obstetricians, pharmacists and neonatologists and have been piloted in the UK (the NHS has since adopted them with over 1,200 units across 131 sites, and some are now being used in Jersey). The bags contain essential equipment for safely delivering babies. 

Relevant instructions have been translated into Ukrainian to ensure the birth bags are as effective as possible - there are currently 50 units inside Ukraine that have been well-received by the Ministry of Health and medical practitioners who have confirmed they are actively being used to safely deliver babies. The charity has worked with partners to develop robust procedures to ensure that the right equipment is getting to the people and places that need it most. There have been many wonderful expressions of gratitude from doctors and nurses working under incredibly difficult circumstances. However, they are clear that much more help is needed. 

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