We are proud to share that Dr. Desalegn Tegabu Zegeye, Dr. Selorm Kutsoati, Dr. Wesley Oghera, and Dr. Ikrama Hassan, represented IPPHL at the GLOBEHEAL 2026 conference in Bali, Indonesia, delivering an impactful oral presentation during the session on Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health.

Their presentation, titled “Missed Opportunities: How Provider-Centric Data Systems Undermine Mothers in Kangaroo Mother Care” shared findings from Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. The research highlighted critical gaps in how current Health Information Systems (HIS) fail to track the quality, adequacy, and post-discharge outcomes of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)—a lifesaving intervention for preterm and low-birth-weight infants. Notably, the team found that in some regions, fewer than 20% of KMC infants have recorded follow-up after discharge, leaving mothers without the support and data needed to continue care confidently at home.

A key outcome of their engagement was the introduction of the “KMC Passport,” a mother-held documentation tool designed to empower caregivers, bridge the gap between facility and home, and ensure continuity of care. The proposal generated vibrant technical dialogue and strong interest among researchers and policymakers for its potential as a scalable, low-cost solution ready for integration into national systems like DHIS2.

We extend our gratitude to the Ministries of Health in Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria for their collaboration, and to the conference organizers for the platform. IPPHL remains committed to supporting our network members across the African Continent that are strengthening health systems in areas such as advancing newborn survival through fellow-led, multi-country learning and innovation.