Thousands of tiny, helpless premature babies die every year in Vietnam because they can’t get enough air into their lungs. Babies who suffer from respiratory distress need help breathing; the piece of medical equipment that can help them is called a CPAP machine – which stands for Continuous Positive Air Pressure. This simple device puffs a gentle breath of air into the baby’s lungs, just enough to help them for a day or two until they can breath on their own. Without this machine, 30% of the babies with respiratory distress will suffocate.

Nearly 20,000 babies die every year in Vietnam from respiratory distress—20,000 children that could be saved if their hospital had a CPAP machine and the doctors and nurses knew how to use it. Vietnam probably needs around 1,000 CPAP machines to equip every hospital that needs one.

What We’re Doing
The East Meets West Foundation, KSE Medical, and the International Children Assistance Network (ICAN) are partnering to save the lives of these infants. Breath of Life provides hospitals with life-saving device CPAP machines, designed by an American engineer and manufactured in Vietnam.

Key Stats

• There are 1.6 million babies born in Vietnam every year.
• 128,000 are born premature.
• Half of premature babies suffer from respiratory distress, and up to 30% of premature babies with respiratory distress will suffocate without help.
• Approximately 20,000 babies every year will die for the lack of a CPAP, a basic piece of medical equipment standard in every U.S. hospital.
• A CPAP machine costs through Breath of Life costs $1800 and will save about 50 babies a year

How You Can Help
One CPAP machine costs $1800 through the Breath of Life program. Donors will receive a plaque with their name on the machine, showing that you gave these babies the breath of life.

For more information
If you have any questions or want to get involved with the Breath of Life program, you can donate online today or contact EMW's Development Team at info@eastmeetswest.org.