Safe + Healthy Starts Collaboration

Promoting Maternal and Infant Health Through Partnership The Safe + Healthy Starts Collaboration is a joint initiative led Solar Health Uganda (SHU), dedicated to tackling the interconnected challenges affecting maternal and infant health—particularly in underserved, rural resource constrained communities in Africa. Our mission is rooted in the belief that no mother or baby should be left behind when it comes to safety, health, and dignity. Central to our work is ensuring reliable energy access—both in homes and at health centers—because clean, dependable lighting is essential for safe deliveries, timely care, and improved health outcomes. We link energy access to broader maternal and infant health priorities, including skilled healthcare, clean water, postpartum services, infant nutrition, supportive education and care, and essential delivery kits (mama kits) that safeguard the health and dignity of both mother and child. The collaboration also seeks to bridge siloed efforts in maternal and infant health by connecting stakeholders who approach the issue from different angles—whether through healthcare delivery, energy, water and sanitation, nutrition, education, or community engagement. Together, we can create holistic solutions that address root causes and strengthen systems of care. This platform is created to discuss the barriers to quality maternal and infant healthcare, identify solutions we can implement directly, and advocate collectively for policy change. We also share and learn from the initiatives of partners, individuals, and communities to break the cycle of poor health outcomes. Call to Action We welcome the engagement of organizations, individuals, researchers, scholars, and student interns with an interest in maternal and infant health especially those working in: - Programming to deliver practical, community-based solutions - Research on health systems, cultural practices, and impact evaluation - Advocacy for policy, funding, and systemic change - Areas such as malaria prevention, clean energy, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, mental health (including postnatal depression and anxiety), and gender equity. Together, we can address the pressing challenges facing healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa: inadequate infrastructure, lack of reliable energy and clean water, shortage of skilled healthcare workers, poor nutrition, harmful cultural practices, and limited health literacy. We remain open to exploring new advocacy priorities and co-developing strategies that will transform maternal and infant health outcomes.