By Jennifer Rigby

LONDON (Reuters) - In a significant step towards improving maternal and neonatal health, a coalition of philanthropic organizations, including the prominent Gates Foundation, has established a new fund, aptly named the Beginnings Fund. This initiative, which boasts nearly $500 million in financial backing, aims to save the lives of newborns and mothers across sub-Saharan Africa. The launch comes at a time when global health funding is facing challenges, making this initiative particularly noteworthy.

The Beginnings Fund was officially unveiled on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, a city that is also home to another key supporter of the initiativethe recently formed Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, which is committed to charitable causes.

Planning for this ambitious project has been underway for over a year, but its relevance has grown immensely as many governments around the globe, following the United States' lead, have begun to reduce their international aid contributions. Alice Kangethe, the chief executive of the Beginnings Fund, shared her insights during an interview with Reuters, stating, It is an opportune moment, and highlighting that the fund aims to collaborate closely with African governments, local experts, and organizations. This approach marks a departure from traditional donor programs, which often deploy external experts and technologies without adequate local engagement.

During the launch, Tala Al Ramahi of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation reflected on the historical challenges faced in maternal health within the UAE, saying, Two generations ago... women in the UAE used to die during childbirth. More than half of children did not survive past childhood. Al Ramahi emphasized that the lessons learned from the UAE's progress in reducing maternal and child mortality will provide valuable insights that can inform the goals of the Beginnings Fund.

The primary objective of the Beginnings Fund is ambitious yet vital: it aims to save the lives of 300,000 mothers and newborns by the year 2030. Additionally, the fund seeks to expand access to quality healthcare for a staggering 34 million mothers and babies in the region.

Beyond the new fund, the partners involved have also committed to pledging $100 million in direct investments aimed specifically at enhancing maternal and child health initiatives, which will exist separately from the fund's broader efforts.

Operationally, the Beginnings Fund plans to focus its efforts in ten African countries, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The initiative will prioritize low-cost interventions and training medical personnel in hospitals that see the highest burden of maternal and neonatal deaths. A critical aspect of their work will involve tracking and addressing the primary causes of these deaths, which include infections, severe maternal bleeding, and respiratory distress in infants.

While the world has made significant strides in reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates, achieving a 50% reduction in neonatal mortality from 1990 to 2022, recent data from the World Health Organization indicates a concerning stagnation or reversal of progress in many regions over the past few years. The WHO has issued warnings that the cuts in aid could exacerbate this troubling trend.

Dr. Mekdes Daba, Ethiopia's minister of health, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, Mothers and newborns should not be dying from causes we know how to prevent. She pointed out that the majority of these deaths are preventable, underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions.

Kangethe also noted that the Beginnings Fund, similar to other philanthropic organizations, has been receiving requests to fill the void left by diminishing global aid. However, she reassured that the fund remains dedicated to its long-term vision of transforming the survival rates of mothers and newborns.

Additional support comes from various philanthropic partners, including the Childrens Investment Fund Foundation, Delta Philanthropies, and the ELMA Foundation, among others. The administration of the fund will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, further emphasizing its commitment to local engagement and expertise.

(This story has been refiled to correct the typo in the second reference to the Bin Zayed Foundation in paragraph 5)

(Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Bill Berkrot)