In Ethiopia, Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) persists as a major driver of maternal mortality, accounting for at least a third of maternal deaths reported. This despite the fact that PPH is one of the preventable causes of death.
Supporting Introduction of the PPH Bundle in Ethiopia (SinPblE)
Launched in December 2024 with funding from the Gates Foundation, the Supporting Introduction of the PPH Bundle in Ethiopia (SinPblE) initiative is a collaborative effort led by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and implemented with technical support from ACSIS. The project aims to accelerate Ethiopia’s progress toward ending preventable maternal deaths by introducing and institutionalizing the Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Bundle, a proven evidence-based set of interventions shown to significantly reduce severe bleeding and maternal mortality after childbirth.
Postpartum hemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal death in Ethiopia, accounting for nearly one-third of maternal mortality. Building on global evidence from the EMOTIVE trial, which demonstrated a 60% reduction in severe PPH through the bundle approach, SinPblE focuses on creating an enabling policy and system environment for nationwide adoption. The project supports the Ministry of Health in developing a national PPH strategy and roadmap, a costed implementation and funding plan, and the revision of national PPH management guidelines. It also strengthens regulatory pathways for essential PPH commodities including calibrated blood collection drapes and galvanizes multisectoral advocacy, community engagement, and leadership capacity to sustain impact.
The SinPblE initiative introduces a whole-system improvement model, aligning policy, practice, and supply chain readiness to bring lifesaving care closer to communities. By fostering coordination between professional societies such as ESOG and EMWA, and leveraging evidence generation, mentorship, and frontline advocacy, the project paves the way for scalable, sustainable, and equitable maternal care across Ethiopia. Ultimately, SinPblE represents a critical step toward ensuring that no mother dies from preventable causes, and that every birth is supported by timely, quality, and compassionate care.