Aras Newborn Care transforms neonatal health systems through services designed to empower healthcare providers, facilities, and community engagement.
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS
Aras Newborn Care, in partnership with the University of Gondar Specialized Hospital, has launched its first project in the Amhara Region to address critical gaps in neonatal health. The hospital oversees more than 5,000 deliveries annually and admits over 300 newborns each month. However, it lacks the expertise and resources needed to meet the demand, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen care and reduce preventable deaths.
As a major referral center in North-West Ethiopia, the hospital serves over 13 million people, receiving newborns from a large network of primary hospitals and health facilities. The hospital manages more than 20,000 antenatal visits and 5000 complex deliveries annually. As a key teaching and research institution, the hospital provides advanced training in pediatrics and maternal-fetal medicine. Yet, neonatal care remains underdeveloped mainly due to lack of resources and a severe shortage of specialists--only 14 neonatologists serve the entire country.
Aras Newborn Care in partnership with the University of Gondar and collaborating organizations will expand neonatal capacity through training, resource mobilization, and community outreach by leveraging the hospital’s role as a referral and academic hub to ensure a positive outcome for newborns that extends beyond Gondar.
Workforce Development: Build Skilled Teams for Lifesaving Newborn Care
We build and strengthen the Ethiopian neonatal health workforce from hospital to community level, equip health professionals with the knowledge, and skills needed to save newborns and create lasting impact.
Key Activities:
- Clinical Capacity Building: Hands-on training in neonatal resuscitation, infection prevention, and evidence-based care for newborns.
- Simulations & Mentorship: On-site coaching, simulation-based learning, and continuous professional mentorship for nurses, midwives, and physicians.
- Leadership Development: Workshops for local health staff to lead quality improvement in newborn care.
Infrastructure Mobilization: Improve facilities, equipment and supplies
We build partnerships to mobilize lifesaving equipment and resources.
Key Activities:
- Equipment & Supplies: Source and acquire low-cost high-impact equipment, newborn care kits, simulation supplies, and digital learning tools.
- Facility upgrades: Develop local and regional partnerships to improve neonatal ward for functional and safe use.
- Partnership Development: Build partnerships with donors, development agencies, and corporate sponsors to mobilize innovative newborn care resources.
Community engagement: Strengthen primary health facilities and capacity
Work with primary health facilities in the community to strengthen capacity and improve infrastructure to deliver lifesaving newborn care.
Key Activities:
- Community Health Integration: Training and supporting community health workers in lifesaving newborn care practices by harnessing virtual technology.
- Mobilizing resources: Provide context-appropriate newborn care equipment and supplies to community health centers.
- Safe newborn referral: Strengthen procedures and systems in place for safe and timely newborn referrals.
Advocacy: Drive Neonatal Health Policy and System Changes
We engage stakeholders to influence neonatal health policy and systems.
Key Activities:
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Lead public awareness initiatives on newborn care and survival.
- Policy Advisory Support: Collaborate with ministries and health authorities on workforce development and clinical standards.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Convene national dialogues on neonatal care to share best practices and influence policy fostering local production of essential newborn drugs and equipment.