One Heart Worldwide Secures USAID ASHA Funding to Establish Seven Maternal and Newborn Health Centers of Excellence Across Nepal

A trainee practicing her MNH skills during a simulation-based training session.

[Kathmandu, Nepal, 12 January 2024] - One Heart Worldwide proudly announces a significant stride toward enhancing maternal and newborn health (MNH)  in Nepal through the generous support received from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Initiative. This funding will empower One Heart Worldwide to spearhead the creation of seven state-of-the-art MNH Centers of Excellence across Nepal. The project, a joint effort between the United States, the Government of Nepal, and One Heart Worldwide, will support Nepal’s efforts to reach its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for maternal and neonatal health.

The primary focus of this project will be to establish and furnish seven high-quality Centers of Excellence within existing tertiary-level hospitals in five of Nepal’s seven provinces. Each Center of Excellence will provide comprehensive training for Skilled Birth Attendants (SBAs) and other Skilled Health Personnel (SHPs) using a simulation-based teaching methodology. Leveraging USAID resources, these centers will become pivotal hubs for advancing critical MNH skills and elevating the quality of MNH services in Nepal, as well as for increasing mutual understanding between Americans and Nepalis.

In addition, One Heart Worldwide is supporting the Government of Nepal to provide technical assistance in incorporating the simulation-based methodology into Nepal’s national training curriculum for SBAs and SHPs which the Government is currently revising. The development of this curriculum will also be a focus of this USAID-funded project and is a fantastic opportunity to have a national-level impact on the quality of MNH care in Nepal.

Many MNH service providers working in rural areas of Nepal lack the specialized skills to deliver quality care, and even those who participate in the official training to become certified SBAs require follow-up or opportunities to gain new information or updated techniques. Traditional training courses in Nepal are largely theoretical in nature, without opportunities for hands-on learning, resulting in low confidence in applying skills or an inability to practice complex scenarios.

In contrast, simulation-based approaches create rich learning environments by providing MNH care providers with opportunities to practice their clinical and decision-making skills through various real-life situational experiences. Practicing in realistic scenarios builds competencies to manage emergencies and rare adverse events, directly impacting better patient outcomes. Within the USAID-funded Centers of Excellence, trainees will practice using medical manikins that simulate pregnant women and infants, as well as practice clinical techniques using real medical instruments such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and infant warmers.

"We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey in collaboration with USAID’s ASHA Initiative," said David Murphy, CEO at One Heart Worldwide. "This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to bolster healthcare systems and elevate maternal and newborn care standards across Nepal."

The initiative will see active involvement from American medical professionals who will contribute through virtual webinars, disseminating best practices in simulation training and fostering a deeper understanding of American values and medical expertise.

This project is poised to deliver not only enhanced healthcare but also substantial public diplomacy benefits. Beyond the technical aspects, the project places significant emphasis on public outreach. Targeted messaging campaigns will engage both trainers and trainees at the simulation labs, highlighting the friendship between America and Nepal and promoting the shared values driving this collaboration.

The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the U.S. foreign assistance program, providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide.

For more information about One Heart Worldwide and its initiatives, please visit www.oneheartworldwide.org.

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About One Heart Worldwide:

One Heart Worldwide (OHW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safer in remote and underserved regions of Nepal. Founded in 2004, OHW employs a comprehensive “Network of Safety” model that includes training healthcare professionals and local stakeholders, providing essential medical supplies, upgrading health facilities, and raising awareness about maternal and newborn health. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, OHW has reached a significant milestone of impacting 1 million mothers and newborns with improved maternal and newborn care access in Nepal.

For more information, please contact:

Katie Dyas
Communications Manager
One Heart Worldwide
katie@oneheartworldwide.org 

Transforming Lives: One Heart Worldwide Reaches 1 Million Mothers and Newborns in Nepal's Underserved Regions

Photo by Laxmi Kaul

[Kathmandu, Nepal, 15 September 2023] - In a groundbreaking achievement, One Heart Worldwide (OHW) is proud to announce a remarkable milestone of improving access to essential maternal and newborn care for 1 million mothers and newborns across Nepal. Our journey towards this success has been paved with sustainable partnerships, with the Government of Nepal playing a pivotal role both nationally and locally. This significant accomplishment reflects OHW's relentless dedication to improving the health and well-being of underserved and remote communities and underscores the organization's unwavering commitment to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the region.

Since its inception, One Heart Worldwide has been steadfast in its mission to tackle the critical issue of maternal and newborn mortality in Nepal. With a visionary approach and a collaborative spirit, the organization has implemented innovative and sustainable solutions, empowering local communities and healthcare providers to create a lasting impact on maternal and newborn health.

Through strategic partnerships with the Government of Nepal and local Nepali NGO partnerships, OHW has successfully expanded its reach across half of the districts of Nepal, extending essential services to remote and underserved areas where access to healthcare was limited. By training Skilled Birth Attendants, providing life-saving medical supplies, and raising awareness about maternal and neonatal health, OHW has played a pivotal role in saving countless lives and creating a more resilient healthcare system in Nepal.

The relentless efforts of OHW have not only led to a reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality rates but also contributed to the overall improvement of healthcare outcomes in the communities it serves. Empowered with knowledge and resources, mothers have been better equipped to make informed decisions about their health and the well-being of their newborns.

"We are ecstatic to have reached this incredible milestone of impacting 1 million mothers and newborns in Nepal," said David Murphy, CEO of One Heart Worldwide. "It is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our team, the unwavering support from our partners and donors, and the resilience of the communities we serve. Together, we have made a significant difference in the lives of countless families, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a healthier future for mothers and newborns in Nepal."

One Heart Worldwide extends its heartfelt gratitude to all its supporters, donors, volunteers, and partners who have played a pivotal role in achieving this remarkable milestone. With this achievement, OHW reaffirms its commitment to continuing its life-saving work, further expanding its reach to one third of Nepal’s annual pregnancies by 2030, and transforming the landscape of maternal and newborn care in Nepal.

For more information about One Heart Worldwide and its initiatives, please visit www.oneheartworldwide.org.

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About One Heart Worldwide:

One Heart Worldwide (OHW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safer in across Nepal. Founded in 2004, OHW employs a comprehensive “Network of Safety” model that includes training healthcare professionals and local stakeholders, providing essential medical supplies, upgrading health facilities, and raising awareness about maternal and newborn health. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, OHW has reached a significant milestone of impacting 1 million mothers and newborns with improved access to maternal and newborn care in Nepal.

For more information, please contact:

Katie Dyas
Communications Manager
One Heart Worldwide
katie@oneheartworldwide.org