Special Initiative: Beginnings Fund

Currently, 182,000 women and 1.2 million newborns in Africa die each year from preventable causes, in addition to 950,000 stillbirths. With an initial target of preventing over 300,000 avoidable maternal and newborn deaths by 2032, the Beginnings Fund partners with governments, local experts, and organizations to improve care for mothers and babies at scale.  

The Beginnings Fund improves maternal and newborn health by investing in:  

• People: Increasing the quality, number, and distribution of health workers delivering maternal and newborn care 

• Products: Scaling high-impact, evidence-based, and affordable equipment, products, and medicines across networks of hospitals and facilities 

• Systems: Strengthening critical components of quality care, such as data systems, emergency transport, and referral networks