Saving Lives at Birth (SLAB)

Project Details

The Nossal Institute has been engaged by Monash University to contribute to expanding the evidence base for the use of an inhaled delivery system for oxytocin (IOT). The inhaled delivery system of oxytocin provides a heat stable, low cost and simple to use alternative to injectable oxytocin which is currently used to managing Post-Partum Haemorrhage (PPH) in resource poor settings.  IOT has the potential to expand access to oxytocin for births in primary health care and community settings across resource poor countries and significantly reduce the incidence of maternal mortality and morbidity.

Through this project Nossal developed a comprehensive health outcome/cost benefit analysis to understand and characterise the potential health, economic and social impacts of an IOT product for the prevention of PPH. This work included a comprehensive literature search, engagement with organisations with relevant datasets and health economic and outcome modelling. Case studies and data collection were based on engagement with partners across Ethiopia and Bangladesh which were selected due to their high incidence of PPH related deaths and morbidity. This analysis will potentially provide an evidence base for the uptake of IOT and improve maternal health outcomes for women through the reduction of PPH related deaths and morbidities across a range of resource poor settings. The project was funded under Round 6 of the Saving Lives at Birth Grant: A Grand Challenge for Development Program.