Mama Tulia Ministries, a Ugandan NGO is gaining international recognition for focusing on a critical but often neglected stage of newborn care—the period after premature babies are discharged from hospital.
The organization has been awarded the Innovation and Collaboration Award at the Global Foundation for Care of Newborn (GFCNI) Summit in Germany, in recognition of its efforts to support vulnerable mothers and preterm infants beyond the hospital setting.
The accolade shines a spotlight on a growing challenge in Uganda, where improved neonatal care has increased survival rates, but many premature babies remain at risk once they return home due to infections, unsafe living conditions, and limited caregiver support.
“Our work begins where hospital care ends,” said founder Isabelle Furaha. “We walk with mothers and babies through one of the most vulnerable transitions of their lives.”
The organisation operates a continuum of care model that combines hospital support with home follow-ups, caregiver training, and specialised medical interventions.
Among these is screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a condition that can cause blindness if left untreated.
So far, Mama Tulia has reached more than 10,700 mothers and babies, carried out 658 home visits, and supported over 500 hospital engagements aimed at improving newborn care before discharge.
Its work on ROP has been particularly impactful, with more than 2,000 babies screened, 262 cases identified, and 243 successfully treated, preventing avoidable blindness among some of the country’s most at-risk infants.
In a further effort to strengthen post-hospital care, the organisation recently launched the Tulia Tender Nest Transition Home—a temporary safe space where high-risk mothers and babies receive monitoring, structured care, and training before returning to their communities. Since February, the facility has supported 20 mothers and 24 babies.
Beyond medical care, Mama Tulia is addressing the broader challenges that affect newborn survival.
The organisation has distributed over 234 water filters to reduce infection risks and runs psychosocial support programmes, including initiatives for teenage mothers and increased father involvement.
Health experts say such integrated approaches are essential in low-resource settings, where follow-up care is often limited or non-existent.
“This award reflects the collective effort of our staff, volunteers, partners, and communities,” Furaha said. “It shows that even with limited resources, impactful and scalable solutions are possible.”
Despite the recognition, the organisation says the need remains urgent. It is seeking support to expand its transition home model, scale up ROP screening across more districts, and strengthen community-based programmes for young mothers.
For many families, Mama Tulia’s work is the difference between life and loss—and increasingly, between mere survival and a chance at a healthy childhood.
