Latest news with #BeginningsFund
Al Etihad
12-05-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
UAE's Beginnings Fund reinforces longstanding commitment to helping mothers, children worldwide
13 May 2025 01:12 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)The UAE has long been a staunch advocate of maternal and child health around the world, taking a leading role with a range of impactful initiatives, including training healthcare workers, supporting displaced mothers, and strengthening care in conflict zones. These efforts include the newly launched Beginnings Fund — a major philanthropic initiative aimed at preventing more than 300,000 maternal and newborn deaths and improving care for 34 million mothers and babies in Africa by 2030. The fund is backed by a joint $600 million commitment, including $125 million from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, which helped unlock matched support from global Rahaf Ajaj, Chair of the Environmental and Public Health Department at Abu Dhabi University, explained why the global need for such initiatives is 'incredibly urgent'. 'Globally, hundreds of thousands of women still die during pregnancy and childbirth each year — that's a death almost every two minutes — and over 2 million newborns don't survive their first month. These deaths are overwhelmingly concentrated in low-resource settings, and tragically, most are preventable,' she told Aletihad . Sub-Saharan Africa, which is the primary focus of the Beginnings Fund, faces the highest rates of maternal and newborn mortality in the world, according to Dr. noted that babies born in that region are 11 times more likely to die in their first month compared to those born in Australia or New of these deaths stem from preventable causes such as severe bleeding, infections, birth complications, and premature delivery, which could be addressed with proper access to quality healthcare, trained medical staff, essential medicines, and functional health facilities, Dr. Ajaj said. 'That's why initiatives like the Beginnings Fund are so critical. By investing $600 million to strengthen health systems, train staff, equip facilities, and implement proven interventions in 10 African countries, the fund directly targets the root causes of this crisis and aims to bridge the deadly gap in access to quality care,' she added. Dr. Ajaj also pointed out that the Beginnings Fund is designed to strengthen the essential pillars of public health infrastructure required for safe childbirth and newborn care. Its strategy centres on training and supporting healthcare workers, equipping medical facilities with life-saving tools and medications, and implementing proven, low-cost interventions, she explained. The fund also aims to enhance data systems and referral networks to ensure timely, effective care, while leveraging innovation to expand access and improve quality. 'While environmental factors like clean water and sanitation are vital for preventing infections, the fund's announced strategy concentrates mainly on these direct healthcare system improvements – the people, places, products, and processes,' Dr. Ajaj. 'Enhancements in water and sanitation might be part of facility upgrades or addressed through other partnerships, but the core focus is ensuring skilled care is available in a functional health system setting.' A Track Record of Humanitarian Work But the UAE's contributions extend far beyond a single initiative. A decade earlier, Every Woman Every Child Everywhere initiative was launched in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development coalition of more than 50 major humanitarian and development organisations promotes a core package of health services that should be accessible to all women and children in crisis settings. It advocates for inclusive models where women serve as first responders and play equal roles in decision-making during humanitarian responses. The initiative is co-chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan and former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate 2022, under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Emirates Red Crescent and the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, launched the Bridge of Hope initiative to train midwives in countries such as Mauritania, Kenya, and Mali. This programme aims to reduce mortality rates in communities where access to obstetric care remains dangerously limited, particularly in refugee settings and fragile environments. It aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, which include reducing neonatal mortality to fewer than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by the domestic front, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention introduced the Postpartum Acceleration Initiative in 2019. It aims to enhance women's health awareness and increase post-delivery follow-up visits to 70%, particularly within the first six weeks postpartum. Another high-profile campaign, the Mothers' Endowment Campaign, seeks to raise Dh1 billion to support educational access globally. While primarily focused on learning, the campaign indirectly supports maternal health by empowering women through education and providing opportunities for economic and social response to humanitarian crises, the UAE has directed significant resources to conflict-affected populations. In 2024, the UAE announced a $10.25 million aid package to support Sudanese refugee women in Chad. The funds were allocated to UN agencies specialising in maternal and child health, psychosocial support, and gender-based violence prevention, ensuring targeted assistance to women facing the harshest commitment to healthcare infrastructure also includes the opening of the "Mother of the Nation" hospital for mothers and children in 2022 on the island of Mohéli in the Comoros under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. This came as part of a number of development projects that were implemented for those affected by Hurricane "Kenneth" that hit the United Republic of the Comoros. 'Philanthropy and humanitarian aid are deeply ingrained in the UAE's identity, often focusing on health, education, and sustainable development globally,' Dr. Ajaj said. 'Health has consistently been a priority, demonstrated by major investments in global initiatives like polio eradication and funding healthcare infrastructure abroad.'She also noted that the UAE's philanthropic and humanitarian initiatives are often rooted in a collaborative structure, emphasising sustainable, long-term impact rather than short-term aid. 'The Beginnings Fund's five-year plan, focus on strengthening local health systems, emphasis on local ownership, and goal of catalysing further funding fit squarely within this approach,' Dr. Ajaj said. 'This commitment isn't an isolated act; it's a strategic investment reflecting the UAE's established priorities in global health, its dedication to sustainable development in regions like Africa, and its belief in achieving lasting impact through partnership,' she added.
Business Insider
10-05-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
10 African countries set to benefit from $500 million maternal health fund
The Beginnings Fund, an initiative of a coalition of global philanthropic partners, announced the financial support in a bid to improve survival rates for mothers and infants across ten African countries over the next five years. According to CEO of the Beginnings Fund, Alice Kang'ethe, priority countries include Zimbabwe, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Nigeria. She added that about 90% of the funding has already been secured, with discussions ongoing to finalize partnership frameworks with each country. Notably, Africa shoulders the highest impact of child-birth related mortality worldwide, with a record of 178,000 maternal deaths and over a million newborn deaths annually. The continent bears a staggering toll of nearly 1 million stillbirths annually and 70% of global maternal deaths, many preventable. Experts warn that without accelerated and targeted interventions, countries like Nigeria and Ghana risk falling short of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for maternal and child health. However, timely action could still pave the way for progress. The Philanthropists backing the fund The Beginnings Fund, backed by global philanthropists including the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Gates Foundation, Delta Philanthropies, and ELMA Foundation, hinted that it has secured an additional $100 million for direct investments to accelerate its objectives. The Fund seeks to strengthen health systems and address resource shortages in Nigeria, where maternal mortality reaches 512 deaths per 100,000 live births. Similarly, in Ghana, which has reduced maternal mortality by nearly half since 2000, the Fund will target regional inequalities, as recent reports highlight persistent disparities in healthcare access. "We aim to strengthen, not substitute, existing systems," Kang'ethe emphasized. "Sustainability is a core principle, evident in our efforts to help governments assume the costs of expanded health services and workforce investments.
Daily Tribune
30-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Abu Dhabi launches $500m maternal health fund for Africa
A $500-million fund aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health in sub-Saharan Africa was launched Tuesday in Abu Dhabi at a time when Western countries are sharply cutting aid to Africa. The Beginnings Fund brings together philanthropists including the Gates Foundation and the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, run by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president.
Arabian Post
30-04-2025
- Health
- Arabian Post
Philanthropic Coalition Unveils $500 Million Initiative to Combat Maternal and Newborn Mortality in Africa
A consortium of philanthropic organisations has launched a $500 million fund aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates across sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative, known as the Beginnings Fund, was announced in Abu Dhabi and is spearheaded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, and other partners. The fund aims to save the lives of 300,000 mothers and infants by 2030 through targeted interventions in ten African countries. The Beginnings Fund seeks to address the alarming statistic that over 800 women and 7,000 newborns die daily from preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. These deaths are predominantly due to infections, postpartum hemorrhage, and respiratory issues, which are often exacerbated by inadequate healthcare infrastructure and limited access to essential medical supplies. The initiative will focus on implementing low-cost, high-impact solutions in hospitals with high maternal and neonatal mortality rates. These solutions include the provision of intravenous iron to treat anemia, the use of antibiotics like azithromycin to prevent infections, and the administration of oxytocin and misoprostol to manage postpartum bleeding. Additionally, the fund will support the deployment of portable ultrasound devices equipped with artificial intelligence to assist healthcare workers in remote areas with prenatal diagnostics. A distinguishing feature of the Beginnings Fund is its emphasis on collaboration with local governments and organisations. By partnering with entities such as the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Delta Philanthropies, and the ELMA Foundation, the initiative aims to ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate and sustainable. The fund's operations will be coordinated from Nairobi, Kenya, facilitating closer engagement with the target regions. See also Washington Accord Signals New Phase in Congo-Rwanda Peace Efforts This substantial investment comes at a time when international aid for maternal and child health has seen significant reductions. The World Health Organization has warned that such cuts could reverse decades of progress in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The Beginnings Fund represents a concerted effort by private philanthropies to fill the void left by dwindling public funding and to reinvigorate global commitments to maternal and newborn health. Complementing this initiative, the Gates Foundation has also pledged $200 million to improve access to medical supplies and contraception in low- and middle-income countries. This funding will be divided equally between Unitaid and the United Nations Population Fund , supporting efforts to expand healthcare access and reproductive health services. At the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris, philanthropists including the Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Jackie and Miguel Bezos committed over $2 billion to combat global child malnutrition. These pledges underscore a growing recognition among private donors of the critical need to invest in maternal and child health, especially in regions where public funding is insufficient. Despite previous gains in reducing maternal and newborn mortality, progress has stalled in recent years. The Gates Foundation reports that maternal mortality rates have remained static globally since 2016, with two-thirds of these deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing underlying vulnerabilities, such as malnutrition and lack of access to quality healthcare, is essential to reversing this trend.
Japan Today
29-04-2025
- Health
- Japan Today
Gates, others launch $500 million maternal, newborn health fund, bucking aid cuts trend
FILE PHOTO: A mother carries her sleeping baby during a safety training workshop for displaced Boko Haram victims on the identification of dangerous objects, at the Gubio camp in Maiduguri, Nigeria May 6, 2022. Picture taken May 6, 2022. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/File Photo By Jennifer Rigby A group of philanthropies including the Gates Foundation has set up a fund backed with nearly $500 million to help save the lives of newborn babies and mothers in sub-Saharan Africa, standing out against a bleak global health funding landscape. The Beginnings Fund was launched on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, the home of another key backer - the United Arab Emirates' recently established Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity. The project has been in the works for at least a year. But its role has become more important as governments worldwide follow the U.S. in pulling back from international aid, its chief executive Alice Kang'ethe told Reuters in an interview. 'It is an opportune moment,' she said earlier this month, stressing that the fund aimed to work alongside African governments, experts and organizations rather than parachuting in experts or technologies, an approach she said differed from many traditional donor programs. "Two generations ago... women in the UAE used to die during childbirth. More than half of children did not survive past childhood," said Tala Al Ramahi at the Mohamed Bin Fayed Foundation, saying the lessons learned in what worked to change those outcomes would help inform the effort. The Beginnings Fund aims to save the lives of 300,000 mothers and newborn babies by 2030, and expand quality care for 34 million mothers and babies. The partners also pledged $100 million in direct investments in maternal and child health, separate to the fund. It plans to operate in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, focusing on low-cost interventions and personnel in high-burden hospitals. The work will track and target the key reasons babies and mothers die, including infection, severe bleeding for mothers, and respiratory distress for infants. The world has made major progress in reducing newborn and maternal deaths, halving the neonatal mortality rate between 1990 and 2022. But that progress has stagnated or even reversed in nearly all regions in the last few years, according to the World Health Organization, which has warned that aid cuts could make this worse. 'Mothers and newborns should not be dying from causes we know how to prevent,' said Dr. Mekdes Daba, minister of health for Ethiopia, stressing that the majority of deaths are avoidable. Kang'ethe said the Beginnings Fund, like other philanthropies, was getting calls to fill gaps in global aid funding, but remained focused on its long-term aim of changing the trajectory of mother and newborn survival. The fund is also backed by the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Delta Philanthropies and the ELMA Foundation, among others. It will be led from Nairobi, Kenya. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
