Program Spotlight: Saving The Lives of Newborns in the Dominican Republic  

The Dominican Republic has one of the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Latin America, despite high rates of hospital births. These deaths can largely be prevented by decreasing the risk of neonatal infection and educating health workers on practices like neonatal resuscitation, kangaroo mother care, and early and exclusive breastfeeding. In response to this need, Project HOPE launched its Saving the Newborn program in the Dominican Republic in 2017.  
 
Saving the Newborn aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality through interventions at the hospital level. The intervention focuses on health care worker training and strengthening hospital capacity through the rehabilitation, refurbishment, and equipping of maternal and neonatal health units. The program is implemented in close coordination with the National Health Service (SNS) along with national and regional-level health authorities.   
 
Since its inception, Saving the Newborn has resulted in strengthened capacity in maternal and neonatal care at some of the largest hospitals across the country, contributing to reductions in the country’s maternal and neonatal maternity rates. Interventions have taken place in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Barahona, La Vega, and Higüey.  
 
Adriana Wanderlinder, Project HOPE’s Program Manager in the Dominican Republic, said:  
“Project HOPE’s Saving the Newborn program in the Dominican Republic is focused on providing critical training to health workers on the Ministry of Health’s updated protocols related to the main causes of neonatal death in the region, asphyxia and perinatal sepsis. Additionally, the program strengthens neonatal and maternity wards and laboratories by donating the necessary equipment and supplies to improve the quality of maternal and neonatal care. The work of this program and the collaboration we’ve done as a team has already made a lifesaving impact in the lives of mothers and children in the Dominican Republic.”   
 
Saving the Newborn’s Impact in the Dominican Republic to date:  

• 5 maternity hospitals reached with lifesaving maternal and neonatal care equipment and training 

• 1,250+ health care workers trained in maternal and neonatal protocols 

• 130+ pieces of maternity ward and NICU equipment procured and distributed 

• Reduced the neonatal mortality rate to 14 deaths per 1000 live births in 2023  

• Reduced the neonatal mortality rate to 12.5 deaths per 1000 live births so far in 2024  

 
The Saving the Newborn Intervention has not only contributed to improvements in care at maternity wards and NICUs, but has also contributed to updating national Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) protocols, including the publication of the Protocol for the Care of Premature and Low Birth Weight Newborns Through the Kangaroo Mother Method, with Emphasis on Nutrition in 2020 by the Dominican Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the SNS and Project HOPE. The program has also helped to strengthen referral pathways across multiple levels of care.  
 
Dan Phelan, Board Director for Project HOPE, said: 
“Seeing the Saving the Newborn Intervention flourish beyond our expectations is truly gratifying. It’s a reminder that investing in ideas and people can lead to extraordinary outcomes. I’m immensely thankful for the team’s dedication and the impact we’re making together. Knowing that our support is contributing to a significant reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality in the Dominican Republic fills me with profound gratitude. The positive changes we’re seeing in the lives of mothers and their babies are a testament to the power of focused efforts and collective compassion.” 

 
Project HOPE has worked in the Dominican Republic since 1996 aiming to increase access to affordable, quality health care for women, newborns, and children in underserved communities. Since then, our work has expanded to include community health activities, adolescent-focused programs, mental health and resilience, emergency response, and educational programs in coordination with national and local health authorities, domestic and international medical universities, and other key stakeholders. 
 

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Photos and videos for media use are available here and interviews are always available upon request. For media inquiries, contact aviscarri@projecthope.org 
 
About Project HOPE 
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE is a leading global health and humanitarian organization operating in more than 25 countries around the world. We work side-by-side with local health systems to save lives and improve health. Our mission is at the epicenter of today’s greatest health challenges, including infectious and chronic diseases, disasters and health crises, maternal, neonatal and child health and the policies that impact how health care is delivered. For more information on Project HOPE and its work around the world, visit www.ProjectHOPE.org and follow us on Twitter @ProjectHOPEorg.