BANGKOK, THAILAND -- Debra Whipple looks out for the tiniest patients at LDS Hospital. As the nurse manager of the special care nursery her days are busy but she never forgets the reason she loves her job.
"For me, (babies) are hope for the future," she says.
The World Health Organization reports that up to 10 percent of babies will struggle to breathe at birth and nearly one million will die worldwide due to various birthing complications.
The LDS Church estimates they've trained more than 100,000 birth attendants in their program saving an untold number of lives in more than 30 countries.
Whipple has volunteered everywhere from Asia to Central and South America, to Africa. Thailand holds a special place in her heart.
"I feel blessed to work with this group of people," she says.
Part of that is due to the relationship the program has with the Neonatal Society of Thailand, headed up by Dr Sarayet Supapannacharp. Known to many as simply Dr. Supa, he is dedicated in reducing the infant mortality rate in Thailand.
"In every 100 babies that are born, there will be two babies that will die in the first minute of life," he says. "Everyday baby is precious and we don't want accidents to happen."
Whipple, her husband, and three other Utah nurses traveled to Thailand this week to run Thai doctors and nurses through simulations using infant mannequins.
The mannequins and other training tools stay in the country. For every person trained the program hopes eight additional people will be trained with the goal of having someone educated by the program at every birth in Thailand.
"This is the most essential thing," says Neonatologist Dr. Meera Khorana. "Just by training us how to start, how to evaluate, we are saving a life."
While the Utah volunteers know they are making a difference, they don't often get to see the direct impact they have. During the Bangkok session, however, they got to meet one of the patients saved by their training.
Puu Kumngern celebrated his third birthday the day he stopped by that training. His mother collapsed while pregnant and delivered Puu early. He wasn't breathing but was revived by a medical team who'd been trained on infant resuscitation.
Through a translator his father expressed his fears for his son and wife three years ago and his gratitude that today they are healthy and happy.
Watching the young family had a profound impact on Debra Whipple.
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