A Ugandan organisation supporting vulnerable mothers and premature babies has earned international recognition after its founder received the Innovation and Collaboration Award at the Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (GFCNI) Summit in Germany.
Mama Tulia Ministries, a Uganda-based non-governmental organisation, was honoured for its outstanding work in bridging critical gaps in newborn care—particularly in supporting preterm babies and their mothers after hospital discharge.
While advances in neonatal care have significantly improved survival rates, many premature babies in Uganda continue to face life-threatening risks once they leave hospital. These challenges are often linked to infections, unsafe home environments, and limited caregiver knowledge.
Mama Tulia is tackling this often-overlooked phase of care.
“Our work begins where hospital care ends,” said Isabelle Furaha, the organisation’s founder, in a statement following the award. “We walk with mothers and babies through one of the most vulnerable transitions of their lives.”
Through a continuum-of-care approach, the organisation provides hospital-based support, home follow-ups, caregiver training, and specialised interventions such as Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening—a condition that can lead to blindness if left untreated.
Over the years, Mama Tulia has supported more than 10,700 mothers and babies, conducted over 658 home visits, and facilitated more than 500 hospital engagements aimed at strengthening care before discharge.
Its impact is especially notable in addressing ROP. The organisation has screened over 2,000 babies, diagnosed 262 cases, and successfully treated 243—helping to prevent avoidable blindness among some of Uganda’s most vulnerable infants.
Earlier this year, Mama Tulia launched the Tulia Tender Nest Transition Home, a temporary safe space designed to stabilise high-risk mothers and babies before they return to their communities. Since February, the facility has supported 20 mothers and 24 babies, providing structured care, close monitoring, and caregiver education.
Beyond clinical interventions, the organisation also addresses broader social determinants of health. It has distributed more than 234 water filters to reduce infection risks and runs psychosocial support programmes, including initiatives targeting teenage mothers and promoting father involvement.
Health experts note that such integrated approaches are essential in low-resource settings, where post-discharge care is often fragmented or unavailable.
The recognition at the GFCNI Summit underscores not only the organisation’s innovation but also the power of collaboration in delivering care under constrained conditions.
“This award reflects the collective effort of our staff, volunteers, partners, and communities,” said Furaha. “It shows that even with limited resources, impactful and scalable solutions are possible.”
Despite its achievements, Mama Tulia acknowledges that significant gaps remain. The organisation is seeking support to expand its transition home model, scale up ROP screening to more districts, and strengthen community-based programmes for young mothers and families.
For many families, the impact is life-changing.
In communities where survival after preterm birth is uncertain, Mama Tulia is shifting the narrative—from mere survival to the possibility of healthy, thriving childhoods.
As global recognition grows, the organisation hopes the spotlight will translate into stronger partnerships and sustained investment in newborn care.
