Ethiopia has made significant advances in maternal and child health over the past two decades, yet the country’s most vulnerable—newborns—still face daunting odds.
While infant mortality has fallen from 35.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 to a projected 27.19 in 2025, neonatal deaths within the first 28 days of life are declining far more slowly, currently estimated at 23.2 per 1,000.
Preterm births, birth asphyxia, and infections remain the leading causes.
“The majority of infant deaths in our country are among babies born prematurely,” said Gesit Metaferia, a pediatrician at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College.
“Preterm children die because the medical resources needed for their treatment are insufficient. Often, when preterm children are born at health centers, they are referred to hospitals for better care. This is why we have not seen a significant reduction in the mortality rate.”
Health experts stress that while roughly 80 percent of Ethiopian newborns require standard care, the remaining 20 percent need critical medical attention.
Gaps in equipment, trained personnel, and rural healthcare access make it difficult to provide life-saving interventions for these infants.
Babies born in rural or economically disadvantaged areas are disproportionately affected, reflecting deep socio-economic and geographic disparities.
At a recent Clinical Symposium on Apnea of Prematurity and Neonatal Respiratory Support, organized by SAH Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with Italy’s Chiesi Global Health, neonatologists, pediatricians, nurses, and policymakers convened to share strategies for reducing neonatal mortality.
Experts highlighted that access to medicine alone is insufficient; well-trained professionals and coordinated action are equally essential.
Corado Moretti, a leading European neonatologist, stressed that addressing Ethiopia’s gaps requires both supply-side investments and hospital-level coordination.
“A key strategy involves building capabilities progressively—starting with critical supplies to reduce complications and improve reliability before implementing more complex solutions,” he said.
Private sector initiatives are also contributing. Linda Storari, Chiesi Group’s vice president of global health, noted that the company is training nurses, sponsoring specialists for international knowledge exchange, and collaborating with NGOs and national pediatric societies to strengthen care systems.
Ethiopia’s Health Sector Transformation Plan aims to reduce neonatal mortality to 21 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2025. Achieving this target will depend on scaling up technology, expanding essential services, and continuing to build the capacity of healthcare professionals to ensure more newborns survive and thrive.
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