despite the recent reduction in newborn mortality
from 27/1,000 live births (UDHS 2016) to 22/1,000 live births (UDHS 2022), the number of newborns
Policy Briefs & Reports
Turning Evidence Into National Health System Change
Makerere University School of Public Health Centre of Excellence for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) 2025 Annual Report
Across many low- and middle-income countries, life-saving health solutions often fail to reach the communities that need them most — not because the ideas are ineffective, but because health systems lack scalable, sustainable ways to implement them.
At the Makerere University Centre of Excellence for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH), we focus on solving that challenge.
Our innovations are designed beyond the pilot stage. We generate, test, and scale practical solutions that strengthen real-world health systems — from hospitals and district networks to community delivery platforms and national policy frameworks.
By combining implementation science, digital innovation, workforce strengthening, and frontline service delivery, we help governments and partners adopt approaches that improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes at scale.
Uganda Newborn Programme (UNP): Final Evaluation Report (2022–2025) – Key Outcomes and Impact
The Uganda Newborn Programme, led by Makerere University School of Public Health, aimed to improve survival and quality of care for small and sick newborns across 36 health facilities in Uganda. Over three years (2022–2025), the programme recorded a 26% reduction in neonatal mortality and a 29% reduction in asphyxia case fatality rates, alongside major improvements in infection prevention, resuscitation capacity, and newborn care systems. Despite persistent health system challenges such as staffing gaps, delayed referrals, and supply shortages, the programme achieved nationwide scale-up of newborn care interventions, strengthened Ministry of Health protocols, and contributed evidence that is now shaping national newborn health policy.
Explore the Work Behind the Impact
See how MNCH turns tested innovations into practical initiatives, active projects, and research partnerships that strengthen health systems.