The CNY Rotary Global Grants Committee voted recently to support the Breath to Life project in Alanya, Antalya province, Turkey. Grant funds will be used to purchase three neonatal ventilators for use at Alanya State Hospital’s Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit, serving infants who cannot provide adequate oxygenation on their own or who have multiple organ failure and are at high risk of mortality, requiring respiratory support.
There aren't enough ventilators to meet newborn patient needs in the hospital’s 13-bed unit. The massive 2023 earthquake destroyed many medical facilities causing an influx of patients to Alanya State Hospital located 500 km from the impact zone. The number of babies requiring oxygen jumped from 94 in 2023 to 166 in 2024.
60 babies born during the first 10 months of 2024 were referred to another hospital two hours away by car due to lack of ventilators. These transfers interrupt treatment for high-risk newborns and can cause respiratory distress and death.
The hospital’s chief physician approached Alanya RC for assistance. Government funding has been reduced since the earthquake. Alanya RC formed a committee of three Rotarian doctors including a pediatrician to assess need. This project, which will reduce neonatal mortality rates and permanent respiratory system problems among babies requiring oxygen, was recommended.
D5100 Lake Oswego RC is serving as Alanya RC’s international partner, building on previous collaboration following the earthquake to help impacted survivors through the provision of portable toilets and replacement of heifers.
Breath to Life was introduced to Lana Rouff, Global Grants Chair for District 7180, by Ayhan GEDİKOĞLU, D2430 Alanya RC 2018-19 President and 2024-25 committee leader of peace and conflict resolution. They also had worked together previously on a global grant in 2019 to purchase the Bera Test Device which is still in use today at Alanya State Hospital, to measure newborn hearing problems. Similarly, ventilators will be approved and accepted by the hospital as fixed assets.
The CNY Global Grants Committee voted to financially support Breath to Life in the amount of $8,000. Rtn. Ayhan said, "Thank you very much for this great news. I will update you every stage of the project. Thanks again on behalf of my club and my District too. When the project is completed, we will all be proud, hopefully."
Additional funds have been secured by Alanya RC, although more are needed to fully fund this $80,000 live-saving project.