Hope at Birth: Driving Neonatal Survival in Ethiopia through Private Sector Innovation
Our aim?
To introduce private-sector solutions and partnership that can leapfrog neonatal medical care.
Background
Neonatal Mortality Incidence Rate (NMIR) assesses infant death probability within the initial 28 days after birth. The initial 7 days of this phase are critical, as most neonatal deaths happen during this time.
In 2021, the world witnessed a heartbreaking toll of 2.3 million children lost during their first month of life. This translates to around 266 neonatal fatalities each hour, underscoring the large global health issue that neonatal mortality presents.
Did you know that infants in Sub-Saharan Africa are 10 times more likely to die in the first 28 days of life as compared to infants born in high-income countries?
Neonatal Mortality in Ethiopia
Over the past decade, neonatal mortality in Ethiopia has shown improvement. The rate dropped from 37 deaths per 1000 live births in 2011 to 29 deaths per 1000 live births in 2016, as reported by the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Premature births are a leading cause of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia. Worldwide, about 15 million (more than one in 10) babies are born preterm each year and Ethiopia accounts for 4.4 % of this figure. In combating the challenges of neonatal health in Ethiopia, the active involvement of the private sector is crucial.
Private Sector Investment Opportunities to fill the gap:
With a population of around 120 million, Ethiopia stands as one of Africa’s top 5 economies, offering substantial healthcare investment prospects. The nation’s growing engagement with foreign investment amplifies the healthcare sector’s opportunities for expansion and progress.
The private sector can play a pivotal role in reducing neonatal mortality by bridging gaps in medical equipment, distribution, and training. Introducing affordable technologies such as CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters, and bilirubinometers will strengthen neonatal care.
Leveraging private sector expertise in logistics and supply chains can ensure these devices reach even remote areas. Additionally, providing training for healthcare providers and biomedical engineers will build capacity, enhance timely interventions, and improve the quality of neonatal care.
