Eiji Hirakawa
I had the honor of participating in the Federation of the Asian and Oceania Perinatal Societies (FAOPS) 2025 Congress held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The meeting brought together researchers, clinicians, and policymakers from across Asia and Oceania, fostering a valuable platform for scientific exchange. Many participants represented low- and middle-income countries facing high neonatal mortality, and discussions with them provided meaningful insights into shared challenges in newborn care.
At the congress, I presented key outcomes from our AMED supported research titled “Feasibility and Impact of Simplified Incubators and Flow Generators for Neonates in Low-Resource Settings: Evidence from Laos and Sierra Leone.” Our study demonstrated that implementing simplified incubators and flow generators contributed to an approximate 10% reduction in neonatal mortality in participating facilities. These findings highlighted the potential of low-cost, context-appropriate technologies to significantly improve neonatal outcomes in resource-limited settings. The presentation generated considerable interest regarding future scalability and implementation pathways.
During my stay, I also had the opportunity of meeting Mr. Manabir Pun, Nepal’s Minister of Education, Science, and Technology. I demonstrated the simplified incubator to him and discussed its potential relevance and impact within Nepal’s healthcare system.
I am deeply grateful to the Japan Society of Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine for providing financial support, which enabled this international dissemination of AMED research findings and strengthened regional academic collaboration.
FAOPS provided an excellent opportunity to advance partnerships and contribute to improving perinatal care across Asia and Oceania.
