Safer Births

Saving lives at birth through research and development

The Safer Births program started as a research and innovation program in 2012. It has now become the world's biggest research program on improving maternal and newborn survival on the day of birth, and led to new implementation strategies, training tools and clinical tools.

From the years of research and collaboration, a lifesaving program was developed: the Safer Births Bundle of Care. Preliminary results from the first 30 hospitals show that overall mortality rates are trending towards 45% reduction in early newborn mortality and around 70% reduction in maternal mortality during the implementation period.

The program

The Safer Births Bundle of Care

The Safer Births Bundle of Care is an evidenced-based program designed to equip birth attendants with the skills and confidence to manage the leading causes of both maternal and neonatal mortality.

The bundle consists of 1) innovative simulation training methods and equipment, 2) strategies for data-guided continuous quality improvement efforts, 3) innovative clinical devices for fetal and newborn heart rate monitoring, and 4) processes to support sustainability and scalability.

In 2020, the program was implemented in 30 health facilities in Tanzania - and with funding from the World Bank’s Global Financing Facility – has since scaled to over 150 health facilities across five regions.

The Impact

Highly encouraging, preliminary results

The first phase of the Safer Births Bundle of Care with implementation in 30 hospitals in Tanzania concluded December 2023. Preliminary results show that overall mortality rates are trending towards 45% reduction in early newborn mortality and around 70% reduction in maternal mortality during the implementation period.

Final results are expected to be published in 2024.

THE IMPACT

Reducing maternal deaths

Globally bleeding after birth is a leading cause of maternal deaths. The Safer Births Bundle of Care program trains healthcare professionals to efficiently deal with post-partum hemorrhage, with preliminary results showing a more than 70% reduction in maternal deaths.

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The Impact

Creating a culture of trust and quality improvement

In Tanzania the Safer Births Bundle of Care program is helping reduce maternal and newborn mortality. It is also changing the way people work. A culture of reflection and learning is embedded in health facilities as part of the program. Quality improvement is a key focus with weekly simulation training, debriefing, and the use of data to inform improvement.

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We have gained knowledge, resulting in increased confidence, improved skills and even a shift in our attitudes.

Halima Shabani Juma, Midwife at Nyamagana District Hospital, Tanzania

Informed by evidence

The world's biggest Day of Birth study

The Safer Birth Bundle of Care program stands on the shoulders of 12+ years of research from Tanzania, Norway, and the US. The research consortium encompasses 35 Ph.D. studies and is approaching the publication of over 200 peer-reviewed papers.

Explore the research here

The patient data gathered in Haydom represent an unparalleled source for research

Jeffrey Perlman, Professor of Paediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York

More stories

Danieli: The first baby saved

Danieli was not breathing at birth. Thanks to the Safer Births project, a young nurse at Haydom Hospital, trained in Helping Babies Breathe, dried, suctioned, and stimulated him. When he still didn’t breathe, she began ventilations. After continuous efforts, Danieli became the first baby resuscitated through the project.

Baby Eliwaza

Baby Eliwaza did not breathe at birth. Midwife Sabrina had been trained in Helping Babies Breathe, and as part of the Safer Births project, and she practices newborn resuscitation regularly. Sabrina detected a slow heart rate and immediately started ventilations. Like many other babies at Haydom Hospital, Eliwaza survived.

Mother Reziki

After giving birth to twins, Mother Reziki began to bleed heavily. Fortunately, her midwife, trained through the Safer Births Bundle of Care program, recognized and managed the postpartum hemorrhage—the leading cause of maternal deaths. Thanks to her simulation training and quick action, Reziki survived.

Veronica's baby

Veronica’s baby was born with the umbilical cord around his neck and wasn't breathing. Nurse Valentia, trained in the Safer Births program, quickly placed the baby on the resuscitation table, used the NeoBeat heart rate monitor, and began ventilation. Thanks to her swift action during the crucial Golden Minute, the baby started breathing.

baby Gloria

When Baby Gloria was born, she was not breathing. Her mother, Regina, also needed help. Part of her placenta was retained and it caused her to bleed heavily. Her midwife had been trained as part of the Safer Births program at Haydom and knew what to do. Both Regina and Baby Gloria survived.