The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation [1] is the largest private foundation in the world, working with grantees and partners in more than 100 countries who have on-the-ground expertise and understanding, and strong ties with the communities in which we aim to make a difference. It also has regional offices to help to build relationships locally, beyond its HQ in Seattle. It works across a range of infectious diseases, in development, and in tobacco control [2]. Maternal, newborn and child health is a particular focus of the Foundation, investing in the development and delivery of interventions that can be used by families and health workers, particularly in low-resource settings [3].