Jhpiego

At The Challenge Initiative (TCI), we recently came together to celebrate our achievements, reflect on our journey, and set our sights on the future. As we mark the eighth year of TCI’s implementation, I’d like to share some of the platform’s key accomplishments: ? 214 local governments across 13 countries in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, covering a population of 280 million, working together to strengthen health systems for family planning (FP) and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH). ? Over 5 million new clients adopting modern contraceptive methods through informed and voluntary choice ? Over $49 million mobilized in domestic resources to fund the implementation of high-impact practices in FP and AYSRH. ? 100 local government/cities graduates, demonstrating the success of our approach and the sustainability of our efforts. This year also marked a significant milestone for TCI, with the retirement of Jose "Oying" Ramon, the platform’s architect and the beloved figure we affectionately call "TCI’s grandfather." As I delivered the speech on behalf of our six hubs, I couldn’t help but reflect on how nervous I was in the early days when presenting to Oying. His presence was intimidating, and I often felt a sense of dread. Yet, over time, Oying became an invaluable resource and catalyst for my growth in TCI. Each time he shared his vast knowledge and personal experiences, it felt as if we were sitting around a fire, listening to a wise grandfather offering us gentle but profound advice. During his final remarks at the meeting, Oying offered us a powerful reminder: “Think outside the box. Eight years ago, we weren’t afraid to innovate. We should and can not be afraid to do so now.” His words resonate as a call to action—urging us to remain bold, adaptive, and committed to our mission, just as we were when we began this journey. #tci #familyplanning #fp Kojo Lokko Kim Martin Vanessa Mitchell Ghazunfer Abbas @hitesh @taiwo @glenn Mamadou Kandji Jhpiego

Nurse Milagrosa – or as her patients know her – Milagrosa the motorbike nurse travels within a 30-kilometer radius each day from Chokwe Military Health Center in southern Mozambique by motorbike to visit moms and babies. Since attending a Jhpiego-led refresher training on cervical screening procedures and performing thermal ablation for those found with pre-cancerous lesions, Nurse Milagrosa is doing important work to screen women from communities she serves, increasing early detection, treatment, and lives saved. Learn more about Nurse Milagrosa and Jhpiego’s impact on cervical health in Mozambique. https://lnkd.in/dzDJ_ujE

In Guatemala, a groundbreaking initiative is improving adolescent health by addressing gaps in health services, mental health care , and health education. By bringing together local governments, organizations , and healthcare providers—young people are gaining better access to the care they need for a healthier future. Learn more about this effort and Jhpiego’s commitment to adolescent health. https://lnkd.in/eaHHsNZp

Midwives face unique challenges, trauma, and stressors in their work which can take a toll on their mental health. At Club Courage in Mali, midwives meet monthly to share, discuss and reflect on their professional and personal lives - exploring care for self, clients, family and colleagues. Jhpiego experts and Think Place developed the Club Courage model in 2020 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Antenatal/Postnatal Care Research Collective and it is significantly improving not only the mental health of midwives attending the meetings, but the care that their patients are receiving. Learn more about how Club Courage is helping health workers save lives! Read More: https://lnkd.in/d7zd9UZR #HealthWorkersSaveLives

Are you ready to lace up and make a difference? Jhpiego’s Miles for Mothers program is expanding in 2025, and we have charity run bibs available for three incredible races: ??Los Angeles Marathon (March 16) ??♀?Denver Colfax Marathon (May 17–18) ??♂? Grandma’s Marathon, Duluth (June 21) When you join our team, every step you take helps bring lifesaving health care to mothers and families around the globe. Whether you're a seasoned runner or setting a new challenge, this is your chance to run for a cause that truly matters. Interested? Apply for a race at www.jhpiego.org/m4m Let’s go the distance together! ??

Access to timely, accurate information can make all the difference in maternal and infant health outcomes. Meet Shafiqua, a mother from a rural, underserved community who faced uncertainty during her pregnancy, compounded by limited access to local healthcare resources. When she reached out to the Helpline for Healthy Mom and Baby, Shafiqua received personalized, expert advice on everything from prenatal care to postpartum recovery. By offering remote, accessible support, we’re addressing critical gaps in care and ensuring that mothers have the resources to thrive—no matter where they live.

Empowering the future of South Sudan! ???? Students at the EDC Basic Literacy training, provided by Jhpiego, are gaining essential skills to build stronger communities and brighter futures. #EducationForAll #HealthLiteracy

Today is World Prematurity Day—a day to raise awareness of the challenges faced by pre-term babies, their families, and healthcare workers around the globe. The day is symbolized with the color purple—standing for sensitivity and exceptionality as well as the depiction of socks on a line with one out of the ten pairs smaller than the others—illustrating that one out of ten babies are born prematurely around the world. Preterm babies face unique, and oftentimes life-threatening challenges—especially in low-resource countries. With access to quality healthcare, preterm babies everywhere can thrive. ???? Share this post to join Jhpiego and EFCNI - European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants in spreading awareness across the globe! #WorldPrematurityDay2024 #WPD2024

This World Prematurity Day, it is important to shed light on a global issue—babies being born too soon. The earlier a baby is born, the more intensive care they require, and the more likely lasting negative health outcomes become. Globally, about 13.4 million babies are born too soon each year. Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. 75% of these deaths could be prevented if current interventions were used. To date, the health outcomes of preterm birth depend on where a baby is born. In low-resource countries, the rates of survival for preterm babies are lower than they are in high-resource countries. Jhpiego is supporting premature infants and their families by training healthcare workers in newborn resuscitation, vulnerable newborn care. Healthcare workers at Jhpiego-led clinics also promote kangaroo care and conduct postnatal wellness visits. With simple and effective techniques, we can decrease premature deaths in low-resource countries. EFCNI - European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants #WorldPrematurityDay2024 #WPD2024

I am excited to be once again part of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) Annual Meeting #TropMed24 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, from November 13 - 17 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This year, Dr. Monique Wasunna, MD, PhD, gave the?#Keynote?address. She is the Africa Ambassador for the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and a woman of many accomplishments. She talked about decolonizing tropical medicine research, especially in Africa. Her quote: “What is the point of making scientific discoveries that save people’s lives if people cannot access them?" She took us through the history of research done on Africans for the benefit of Western researchers who published the findings. Although there were improvements over the years, all the good things were forgotten when #Covid19 came around. From ASTMH Profile: Dr. Monique Wasunna is the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative’s (DNDi) Africa Ambassador. In this role, she engages African policy leaders and other stakeholders to support their ambitions of advancing universal health coverage, treatment access, and eliminating neglected diseases through R&D collaborations that deliver new treatments for the most vulnerable patients. Previously, she served as the Regional Director of DNDi Eastern Africa. She is a founding chair and member of the Leishmaniasis East Africa Platform, which promotes clinical research and strengthens research capacity for leishmaniasis in the region. Dr. Wasunna was the Chief Research Officer and Assistant Director of Research at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). She has served as the Director, Centre for Clinical Research, KEMRI, and subsequently served as the Acting Director KEMRI. She was a member of the International Bioethics Committee of UNESCO, Kenya National Bioethics Committee, the Kenyatta National Hospital and University of Nairobi Scientific and Research Ethics Committee, and currently a member of the Expert Committee of Clinical Trials of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Kenya. Dr. Wasunna is a physician and an infectious disease and tropical medicine specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Nairobi as well as an MSc and PhD from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She also holds a diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the Royal College of Physicians of London. Dr. Wasunna is a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and the Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa College of Physicians. Dr. Wasunna has been recognized for her contributions to neglected disease research. She is the recipient of the Distinguished Neglected Tropical Diseases Researcher award from the Kenyan Ministry of Health and the National Order of Merit (Officier de l’ordre national du mérite) from the French government. (Photos from ASTMH) #TropMed24 #ASTMH #IAMTROPMED #Jhpiego