As we gathered in Lagos to launch Project Oscar – Light for Life, a Neonatal Jaundice Screening, Treatment, and Kernicterus Prevention Program on World Disability Day last year, I am reflecting on the profound resilience and determination of the human spirit, from the healthcare workers at the neonatal units we are equipping with life-saving phototherapy devices to the caregivers and mothers I met at a privately run Cerebral Palsy Centre, every moment highlighting the urgency of our mission: ensuring no child’s future is determined by preventable conditions such as neonatal jaundice.

This journey is deeply personal and purposeful, as Project Oscar, named after the inspiring disability advocate Oscar Anderson MBE, exemplifies what happens when advocacy, innovation, and global partnerships converge. Developing cerebral palsy shortly after birth due to untreated neonatal jaundice, Oscar has transformed his lived experience into a powerful call for action. In his words, “The work doesn’t stop until every baby is protected against neonatal jaundice.”

At the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, this ethos drives our vision for maternal and child health, a principal achor with our social impact partners Reckitt, which is leading to Project Oscar equipping over 300 healthcare workers in Lagos State with tools and training to screen, diagnose, and treat neonatal jaundice, empowering over 10,000 mothers with knowledge about the early signs of jaundice while screening over 9,000 newborns. Our joint goals are ambitious because they must be – neonatal jaundice claims lives and, for those who survive without timely treatment, leaves an indelible mark on their quality of life.

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa places mothers at the heart of its mission, recognising them as the cornerstone of neonatal care and disability advocacy. Through frontline programming led by WBFA such as Project Oscar, the Foundation equips mothers with essential knowledge, tools, and resources to navigate healthcare systems with confidence and determination. From the mothers I met during Project Oscar’s launch to countless others I have met over the two decades of WBFA, who provide continuous care in their communities, their insights illuminate the path forward. By empowering mothers and women, we not only transform individual lives but also create a ripple effect of resilience, health, and progress within families and societies. Their voices, grounded in lived experiences, are indispensable in shaping sustainable and impactful solutions that work for all.

During my visit to the Cerebral Palsy Centre in Lagos, I met caregivers like the founder, Mrs. Nweke, whose tireless dedication showcases the opportunities and challenges of caring for children with disabilities. As featured in the BBC’s recent article ‘She’s my life’: A mother’s mission to help Nigerians with cerebral palsy, Mrs. Nweke embodies a mother’s resolve to dispel myths and improve care. Her story intertwines with Project Oscar’s mission: to prevent conditions like cerebral palsy through early intervention while fostering inclusion and support for families already navigating these realities.

Globally, the challenges and solutions surrounding neonatal health and disability inclusion require a unified response. At the One Young World Summit, where we globally launched Project Oscar, I spoke about the power of co-creation in addressing these systemic issues. The Carol Cone Purpose 360 Podcast episode recorded during the summit expanded on these themes, exploring how partnerships can drive meaningful change. Whether it’s integrating phototherapy into national health systems and policy or creating educated and informed spaces for caregivers to thrive, the solutions demand collective responsibility.

In Nigeria alone, more than 60% of all babies suffer from neonatal jaundice, many without access to the affordable light therapy that could save their lives, and families without adequate health awareness. Treatment for jaundice costs a fraction of lifelong care for resulting disabilities, yet, the real cost lies in the lost potential of children who might have thrived with timely intervention. This is why Project Oscar is not merely a health initiative; it is a policy transformation effort. Our Light for Life Campaign advocates for the integration of neonatal jaundice care into national health strategies globally. This includes equipping primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities and ensuring that every newborn has access to effective screening and treatment.

At the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s co-creation workshops with trusted social impact partners Reckitt, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s NEST360, Solina SCIDaR, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, and private-sector healthcare providers, WBFA emphasised that inclusive health systems must be built on robust data, innovative solutions, and partnerships that prioritise community impact. From Vietnam’s remarkable success with Project Oscar—helping over 150,000 children since its inception—to our ambitious goals in Nigeria and across Africa, we are setting a global precedent for integrating neonatal care into national health frameworks.

This is not just about treating jaundice, it is about amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities, empowering caregivers, providing quality resources, and breaking down the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequity. By advancing policies that prioritise prevention and inclusion, we are lighting a path toward a more sustainable future. 

As we move forward, I invite global leaders, health professionals, and advocates to join us in this mission. Sign the Light for Life Letter, support the training of healthcare workers, and help us scale solutions that work. The stories I heard at the Cerebral Palsy Centre will stay with me, as will the voices of the young leaders at One Young World and the mothers who place their trust in us every day. Project Oscar is their story, and it’s ours to tell. Let us ensure it is one of triumph.