Sinai Health Donation Targets South Asia Neonatal Mortality Rates

For the doctors, nurses, scientists and caregivers of Sinai Health, one of the most effective prescriptions for improving medical care around the world is philanthropy.

The generosity of donors helps create new programs, fund research and multiplies the resources available to their professionals. These funds support their tireless efforts to battle disease, save lives, discover cures and improve health outcomes for millions of people.

The recent $2.5 million donation from the Moez & Marissa Kassam Foundation is one such example Sinai recently heralded in a news release. The gift will allow Sinai to “bring its world-leading women’s and infants program to communities across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through the launch of a new fellowship program,” notes the Sinai Health Foundation (SHF).

“Philanthropy is essential for advancing research, care, and outcomes for those facing cancer, a high-risk pregnancy, stroke recovery, and other conditions and diseases. Thanks to philanthropy, SHF helps fund world-class facilities and offers patients access to some of the most impactful clinical trials and studies that have taken place over the past 30 years.”

In South Asia, the need is immense. A comprehensive study by Pakistani researchers highlighted the magnitude of the issue: “High rates of newborn mortality and intrapartum stillbirths are a major challenge across the region, and are associated with poor quality of care in both community and facility settings. Further reductions in under-5 mortality will require action on the dual challenge of improving care during pregnancy and childbirth in community settings and facilitation of facility births, as well as improving care of newborns in referral facilities.”

In recent years there has been progress, but much more needs to be done. The fellowship will allow the fellows to have access to knowledge that may not have been accessible to them due to cultural barriers. The fellowship program will be a steppingstone to bridge the gap between these types of communities and provide exposure where it is needed. The fellows will learn from the best at Sinai Health and apply the techniques they learned in their home countries. 

“We are excited for the Moez and Marissa Kassam Fellows to foster greater cultural awareness across Sinai Health and look forward to the benefits that will be realized here in Canada and South Asia,” added Marissa Kassam.