Autore: Flavia Fiacco

The Ethiopian Society of Neonatology is born: inaugural ceremony held in Addis Ababa

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

The official launch event of the Ethiopian Society of Neonatology (ESN) was held last week in Addis Ababa, marking a historic milestone and a fundamental step forward in newborn care in Ethiopia. We also took part in this major inaugural ceremony alongside numerous national and international partners who, like us, have been on the front lines in the country for years to guarantee the right to health for mothers and their babies.

For us at CUAMM, the creation of the Ethiopian Society of Neonatology represents the achievement of our daily efforts in supporting hospitals, equipping neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and providing continuous training for local professionals. As Maria Perrella, CUAMM Country Representative, commented:

«Being present in Addis Ababa for this launch reaffirms our organization’s commitment to walking “with” Africa, supporting local institutions in building strong, resilient, and autonomous healthcare systems, so that no child is denied a future».

The event, organized in close collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH), was attended by the Minister of Health, Dr. Dereje Duguma, as well as representatives from UNICEF, WHO, the Gates Foundation, and prestigious academic institutions dedicated to public health.

The Ethiopian Society of Neonatology aims to bring together neonatologists, pediatricians, neonatal nurses, midwives, and researchers under a single vision: to ensure that every newborn in Ethiopia has access to timely, safe, equitable, evidence-based, and high-quality neonatal care, enabling all children not only to survive but to thrive.

As highlighted in the opening speech by the President of ESN, pediatrician and neonatologist Dr. Asrat Dimtse, the establishment of the society addresses the urgent need to build networks.

«Today marks a historic milestone in ensuring that every newborn receives the care they deserve. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the Ministry of Health, all partners, and supporters who made this vision a reality. Newborn mortality remains a dramatic challenge: every year, too many children face preventable complications. ESN was founded precisely to reduce this mortality rate through solid partnerships, research, and international standards. Our vision is simple yet ambitious: to ensure every newborn has access to timely, dignified, and high-quality care. Every newborn life matters: this is our motto, our mission, and our goal,» stated Dr. Asrat, President of the Ethiopian Society of Neonatology.

Challenges at the heart of the debate

The launch of ESN was not only a celebratory moment but also a platform for crucial technical discussion. During the panel discussion titled “Advancing Newborn Care in Ethiopia: Experiences, Challenges, and Strategic Priorities”, leading experts exchanged views on international standards of care and strategies to reduce preventable newborn deaths through specialized staff training.

«Improving neonatal care requires a concrete investment in advocacy, research, and infrastructure. Today, the challenges are many—from limited supplies to the need for staff training—but we are determined to find solutions. We must join forces: the key to success lies in consolidating partnerships and conducting strong advocacy to mobilize the necessary resources. No one can do it alone; it requires multisectoral collaboration,» affirmed the Minister of Health, Dr. Dereje Duguma.

In Tanzania with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation: Together for the Health of the most vulnerable

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

Sharing best practices, joining forces, and charting new paths to guarantee the right to health and a future—even in the most isolated areas of the African continent. With this shared goal, we took part in the annual conference organized by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in Tanzania. The event brought together international partners, local institutions, experts, and civil society organizations, all united by a common commitment to sustainable development.

At the heart of the working groups and panel discussions were core themes of our daily field operations: maternal and child health, nutrition, and the strategic importance of resilient community health systems.

Participating in this global network represents an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the work carried out on the ground, particularly in Tanzania, where CUAMM has been working alongside local authorities for years to improve access to maternal and child healthcare.

A central focus of the discussions in Tanzania was dedicated to safeguarding, a dimension that CUAMM considers absolutely essential when operating in fragile settings. True health delivery goes beyond clinical efficacy; safeguarding ensures that programs are safe, transparent, accountable, and deeply respectful of the dignity of the individuals and communities being served. By embedding strict safeguarding principles into the training of Catholic Sisters and health workers, the partnership guarantees a protective environment for the most vulnerable, particularly women and children.

The convening also provided a vital opportunity to explore the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s Strategy 2030. Participants engaged in deep-dive sessions examining its methodology, implementation approaches, and core objectives, aligning CUAMM’s field experience with the Foundation’s overarching Theory of Change and Theory of Action. This strategic alignment ensures that current and future interventions are not only optimized for immediate relief but are structurally designed to generate sustainable, multi-generational impact.

“The convening was an important opportunity to highlight the value of investing in Catholic sisters’ leadership and supporting community-based responses that can generate sustainable impact.  It was not only a space for learning and networking, but also a powerful reminder of the importance of partnerships, shared responsibility, and collective action.” Said Laura Braga – CUAMM International Relations Officer

Empowering the Frontline: The Impactful Journey of CUAMM and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

In the fragile ecosystems of sub-Saharan Africa’s healthcare networks, Catholic Sisters and faith-based organizations (FBOs) are often the quiet backbone of survival. Operating in some of the most remote, under-resourced, and crisis-prone regions, these dedicated women and local institutions provide a lifeline to marginalized communities. However, the complex challenges of modern healthcare—ranging from climate-induced emergencies to financial management—require more than just devotion; they require specialized skills, resilient systems, and strategic leadership.

Recognizing this critical need, Doctors with Africa CUAMM and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation joined forces in 2023. This strategic partnership was born out of a shared vision: to empower local Catholic organizations delivering health services, transforming them into sustainable, highly effective, and climate-resilient pillars of care.

Three years into this journey, the fruits of this collaboration are visibly reshaping healthcare delivery across three focus countries: Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and Sierra Leone. To date, the project has successfully engaged 66 Sisters and trained 94 Sisters across the target countries.

Continuing to Walk Together

The insights and frameworks gained during these intensive days will serve as vital blueprints for CUAMM to optimize ongoing projects and shape innovative intervention strategies.

As the conference ends, our commitment does not: the goal remains to translate the global strategies discussed at these international assemblies into concrete actions, medicines, care, and hope for mothers and children in Africa.

INAET In Ivory Coast: Bridging Energy Transition, Health, and Empowerment

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

A two-day conference in Abidjan recently provided a vital platform to examine Africa’s energy transition from within the continent itself. Embracing a multi-sectoral approach, the event aimed to drive a development agenda where priorities, institutions, and voices are centrally rooted in Africa.

This prominent gathering was the International Network on African Energy Transition (INAET) conference, held in Ivory Coast from June 11 to 12. It brought together researchers, economists, engineers, international finance representatives, European entrepreneurs, and scholars from across the African continent. Among the key themes at the heart of the conference were the interconnections between energy, economic development, and industrial growth. Over the two days of meetings, speakers explored topics such as energy access, sustainable agriculture, biofuels, clean cooking solutions, and carbon markets.

We also proudly participated to reaffirm that public health simply cannot be left out of this crucial global conversation.

The link between energy and public health is in fact profoundly real. For us, this vital connection has inspired a new commitment on the continent: the promotion of improved household cooking methods through the Clean Cooking program, implemented in Angola in close collaboration with the Salesiani Don Bosco and with the support of Eni. This prestigious event provided the perfect stage to showcase this initiative, emphasizing its transformative impact on community health and celebrating the results achieved so far. By introducing modern cooking solutions, this multifaceted partnership proves that the global energy transition can seamlessly align with health equity, nutrition and women’s empowerment.

“At CUAMM, we see clean cooking as much more than an energy intervention. It is a public health investment that starts in people’s homes, where the health of women, children and entire families is most directly affected by indoor air pollution. By promoting safer and more efficient cooking solutions, we are helping to reduce the harmful effects of household air pollution while improving quality of life and strengthening communities. This is why it is so important that health has a place in the global conversation on Africa’s energy transition,” said Andrea Atzori, CUAMM Head of International Relations.

More Than Energy: A Multi-Dimensional Impact

Our ongoing work in Angola, where hundreds of thousands of improved cookstoves have already reached families and communities, provides a clear blueprint for the future. Clean cooking is far more than a simple energy solution; it is a cross-cutting intervention addressing several of the world’s most pressing challenges simultaneously:

  • A Public Health Intervention: Traditional cooking methods involving open fires and biomass release toxic smoke, leading to severe respiratory illnesses that disproportionately affect women and young children. Improved cookstoves drastically reduce indoor air pollution, saving lives and lifting a heavy burden off local healthcare systems.
  • A Pathway to Greater Gender Equity: Women and girls typically bear the burden of spending hours every day gathering firewood and cooking over hazardous flames. Clean cooking solutions free up valuable time, opening doors to education, economic independence, and leadership opportunities within their communities.

INAET is an international multi-stakeholder network promoted by Eni and the Luiss School of Government in Rome, in collaboration with the World Bank Group, including the Institute for Economic Development and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Organized under the high patronage of the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy of the Republic of Ivory Coast, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to supporting African priorities in energy transition and development. The platform aims to foster dialogue and cooperation between African and international actors, creating a bridge between academia, institutions, and businesses.