A Ugandan organisation supporting vulnerable mothers and premature babies has gained international recognition after its founder, Isabelle Furaha, received the Innovation and Collaboration Award at the Global Foundation for Care of Newborns (GFCNI) Summit in Germany.
Mama Tulia Ministries, a non-governmental organisation based in Uganda, has been honoured for its work in bridging gaps in newborn care by supporting preterm babies and their mothers after hospital discharge.
While advances in neonatal care have improved survival rates, many premature babies in Uganda continue to face life-threatening risks once they leave hospital—largely due to infections, unsafe home environments, and limited caregiver knowledge.
Mama Tulia’s model focuses on what happens next.
“Our work begins where hospital care ends,” Furaha said 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, the organisation has reached more than 10,700 mothers and babies, conducted over 6,500 home visits, and facilitated more than 500 hospital engagements aimed at strengthening care before discharge.
Its impact is particularly evident in the fight against ROP. Mama Tulia has screened over 2,000 babies, diagnosed 262 cases, and successfully treated 243—preventing avoidable blindness among some of Uganda’s most vulnerable infants.
Earlier this year, the organisation 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, monitoring, and caregiver education.
Beyond clinical interventions, the organisation also addresses the social determinants of health. It has distributed over 234 water filters to reduce infection risks and runs psychosocial support programmes, including initiatives targeting teenage mothers and encouraging father involvement.
Health experts note that such integrated approaches are critical in low-resource settings, where post-discharge care is often fragmented or unavailable.
The recognition at the GFCNI Summit highlights not only the organisation’s innovation but also the importance of collaboration in delivering care under constrained conditions.
“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 its achievements, Mama Tulia says significant gaps remain. The organisation is seeking support to expand its transition home model, scale ROP screening to more districts, and strengthen community-based programmes for young mothers and families.
For many of the families it serves, 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.
