Introduction

The Ethiopian Pediatric Society (EPS), in collaboration with EngenderHealth, conducted a three-day Training of Trainers (TOT) on Blended Catchment-Based Clinical Mentorship as part of the Integrated RMNCH + Postpartum Family Planning Scale-Up in High Caseload Facilities Project. The training was held from August 19–21, 2025, in Addis Ababa, bringing together candidate mentors from major hospitals across six regions.

This initiative aligns with EPS’s commitment to strengthen neonatal care by equipping healthcare leaders with mentorship skills to implement the WHO Guidelines for the Care of Small and Sick Newborns (SSNC), including low birth weight and preterm babies.

Objectives

The training aimed to:

• Equip healthcare providers with updated mentorship skills and WHO-aligned clinical guidelines.
• Enhance participants’ capacity to mentor colleagues in their catchment facilities using a blended approach (in-person and iECHO virtual mentorship).
• Introduce structured quality improvement (QI) practices in neonatal care.
• Foster a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to improve survival and health outcomes of small and sick newborns.
• Promote an evidence-based mentorship program and strengthen data use practices for decision-making.

Participants

Candidate mentors were drawn from 11 hospitals representing different regions. Each hospital was represented by two trainees (one pediatrician and one NICU nurse):

• Addis Ababa: St. Paul’s Hospital, ALERT Specialized Hospital
• Amhara: Akesta General Hospital, Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
• Central Ethiopia: Dr. Bogalech Gebere General Hospital, Welkite University Specialized Hospital, Werabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
• Sidama: Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
• South Ethiopia: Arba Minch General Hospital, Dilla University Referral Hospital, Sodo Referral Hospital

Trainers & Facilitators

• Prof. Bogale Worku – Senior Pediatrician, CEO of EPS
• Dr. Gesit Metaferia – Neonatologist, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College
• Dr. Getasew Ademe – Pediatrician, Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
• Dr. Aneso Mohammed – Pediatrician, Jimma University Medical Center
• Dr. Yichalal Endayehu – Pediatrician, Felegehiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
• Kehabtimer Shiferaw – MPH, Public Health Data Science Expert, Project and MEL Manager (ODK & Power BI session)

Training Highlights

The program combined lectures, skill stations, group discussions, hospital visits, and digital tools orientation.

Day 1: Introductions, principles of mentorship, SSNC core components, skill stations (Immediate Care at Birth, CPAP and Safe Oxygen, KMC, Thermal Care & Monitoring), and hospital observation.
Day 2: Recap, skill stations (Breastfeeding Support, Infection Prevention, IV Fluids), neonatal conditions management, nurturing care, and hospital visit.
Day 3: Recap, SSNC checklist, group practice on mentoring, QI lecture, and a session on ODK & Power BI for digital mentorship monitoring.

The training adopted a blended mentorship model — combining in-person clinical mentorship with virtual mentorship using iECHO (“All Teach, All Learn” model).

Feedback and Outcomes

Participants appreciated the balance of theory, practical skill stations, and real-case hospital observations. They expressed confidence in applying the mentorship skills gained, supporting mentee hospitals, and using digital tools (ODK & Power BI) to monitor mentorship progress.

Next Steps

• Launch structured catchment-based mentorship programs across facilities.
• Roll out virtual mentorship sessions via iECHO.
• Support hospitals to implement QI projects on neonatal care.
• Monitor progress through baseline, midline, and endline digital data collection.

This TOT represents a milestone in building Ethiopia’s neonatal mentorship capacity and reflects EPS’s ongoing leadership in strengthening newborn care in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners.