PATH's commitment to maternal and newborn health and nutrition at N4G Paris Summit

At this week's Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Paris, PATH is reaffirming our commitment to improving maternal and newborn health and nutrition through the Mother-Baby Friendly Initiative Plus (MBFI+), supported by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, in Nairobi County, Kenya. This initiative is crucial to protecting and advancing progress made in global health, especially in maternal and child nutrition.

Decades of investment in global health have led to significant improvements in infant survival, but that progress is at risk if mothers and small and sick newborns do not receive comprehensive, integrated care, safeguarding their health during and after NICU admission. At PATH, we are committed to ensuring that these gains are not lost.

The MBFI+ is an innovative approach for optimizing access to lifesaving human milk through integrating proven interventions—such as specialized lactation support and Kangaroo Mother Care—while introducing critical new elements, including maternal mental health support, use of donor human milk, and linkage to prevention and treatment of malnutrition. By creating an integrated, holistic care model, PATH is setting a new standard for achieving exclusive breastfeeding through placing small and sick newborns and their mothers at the center of care.

To maximize impact, PATH is committed to fostering innovation in health care delivery. This integrated model emphasizes efficiency, scalability, and the potential for wider application across other regions and countries.

"Investing in health and nutrition for newborns and mothers is an investment in a more prosperous future,” said PATH President and CEO Nikolaj Gilbert. "PATH’s commitment to the MBFI+ in Nairobi County will create healthier outcomes for mothers and babies, strengthening families and communities. By prioritizing maternal and newborn health and nutrition, we lay the foundation for a more resilient and equitable future."

PATH’s commitment is not only about immediate health outcomes; it is an investment in the long-term prosperity of mothers and babies. Healthy populations drive thriving economies and are more resilient to global health threats, including the impacts of climate change and future pandemics. By prioritizing maternal and newborn health and nutrition, PATH is contributing to building a healthier and more resilient society for all.