In a continued effort to accelerate Ethiopia’s progress in reducing neonatal mortality through evidence-based interventions, the Saving Little Lives (SLL) program has been a flagship initiative led by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health. 
 
At a recent event to disseminate preliminary results of the evaluation of the program’s implementation impact during July 2021 – June 2024, the program's achievements in improving neonatal and maternal health were highlighted. Key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, the Global Financing Facility, Gates Foundation, and Addis Ababa University, delivered speeches during the event. 
 
Keynote speaker from UNICEF, Tiyese Chimuna, offered congratulations and reflected on the bold ambition of the SLL project, particularly on its goal to reduce neonatal mortality by 35% across 290 health facilities and expressed UNICEF’s pride in being part of this impactful initiative. Also acknowledged was the important support of partners including the Government of Norway, Laerdal Foundation, Global Financing Facility, Addis Ababa University, Mekelle University, Hawassa University, and Emory University. 
 
Dr. Alison Morgan, from Global Financing Facility, recognized SLL as a major achievement of the government as a flagship program that successfully combined program design and implementation with embedded research.  

 
Gates Foundation’s Dr Lidiya Tefera extended her appreciation to the SLL’s key partners for their strong leadership and collaboration in advancing maternal and newborn health. She underscored the importance of evidence-based strategies and called for greater strategic focus on planning and targeting interventions, urging reflection on how to better ensure efforts are reaching the right health facilities.  

Implemented across 290 healthcare facilities, the SLL program has been acknowledged as a robust platform for improving neonatal outcomes. Through embedded implementation research, the program has introduced innovative approaches such as immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC) and demonstrated resilience in addressing challenges, notably in conflict affected regions. 

While specific results will be shared in upcoming publications, promising preliminary indications show: 

• A significant reduction in neonatal mortality rates 
• Increased use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy 
• Improved bag-and-mask ventilation practices 
• An increase in Kangaroo Mother Care practices 
• Demonstrated cost-effectiveness 

Opportunities to integrate elements from the proven Safer Births Bundle of Care (SBBC) program were also explored. Alemnesh Reta, Laerdal Global Health’s Implementation Manager for Ethiopia, presented the SBBC success story, which includes a 40% reduction in newborn deaths and a 75% reduction in maternal deaths. 

The Saving Little Lives program illustrates the power of collaboration to scale up high-impact solutions, paving the way for continued advancements in maternal and neonatal health in Ethiopia. With this experience scaling up proven interventions and addressing systemic challenges, the program can serve as a foundation for future programs. 

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