2026 International Maternal Newborn Health Conference
Newborn survival has improved dramatically over the past two decades, but for millions of babies born each year with congenital conditions in low- and middle-income countries, access to early diagnosis and treatment remains out of reach.
On March 24, 2026, MiracleFeet is proud to co-sponsor a WHO-led Satellite Session at the 2026 International Maternal Newborn Health Conference in Nairobi, Kenya: “Strengthening capacity for newborn screening, diagnosis and management of birth defects integrated in routine health services in LMICs.” 🕘 9:45–13:00 | Breakout Room 4
This session will introduce the first-ever global guide for detecting, referring, and treating birth defects in low- and middle-income countries—designed for adoption into national health policies.
Why this matters
For too long, congenital conditions have been overlooked in global health agendas. This WHO-led consultation brings forward implementation experiences, sustainable financing pathways, and practical next steps to help Ministries of Health integrate newborn screening and management into routine care.
We’ll explore critical questions, including:
- When is an LMIC ready to initiate a national program for newborn screening and management?
- How should countries select which condition(s) to prioritize?
- What health system foundations must be in place?
- How have countries sustainably financed national initiatives?
This session is particularly relevant for Ministries of Health, program leaders, global health partners, NGOs, researchers, and patient advocates committed to strengthening health systems for the youngest patients.
MiracleFeet is honored to support this effort as a member of the Global Action for Congenital Conditions (GACC) and alongside Operation Smile and Children’s HeartLink.
If you are attending the conference, we invite you to join and help ensure that where a child is born does not determine whether they receive life-changing care. Register here.