Background Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) is cooperation between the Governments of Norway and India, and has a particular focus on improving newborn health by training health personnel. A former exchange program in Kolkata (2011–2013) reports reduction in neonatal mortality rate and improved newborn care.

Aim This project aims to improve the care of sick and premature newborns, in line with international standards, in Rajasthan, India. The exchange of health personnel in north-south collaboration can reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality by improving basic neonatal nursing. Focus areas are KMC, nutrition and breastfeeding, developmental care, hygiene and pain management. The project intends to increase multicultural understanding within newborn health care.

Method Exchange of 4 indian and 2 norwegian nurses/year for a 3 year period. Norwegian nurses will stay in JK Lone Hospital, Jaipur for 12 months and indian nurses in Oslo university hospital for 6 months.

Focus for Norwegian nurses in Jaipur will be teaching doctors and nurses in evidence based newborn care through bedside training in the NICU. Interact with the indian team of doctors, nurses,and family of the sick newborn, in order to develop an understanding of the culture and society they are working in.

Focus for Indian nurses in Oslo will be hands on bedside training in the NICU under surveillance of experienced personell. In depth knowledge of the focus areas. All participants are to convey their experience to their home partners after homecoming through teaching, demonstrations and reports. The goal is sustainable practice change according to evidence based care.