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As part of a multi-country implementation trial, we tested a regionally specific model of kangaroo mother care (KMC). Effective KMC was defined as ≥8 h of newborn-caregiver skin-to-skin contact daily plus exclusive breast feeding. The study was designed to achieve ≥80+% effective KMC coverage at the population level.The Amhara KMC model was designed using global evidence, formative research in the region and input from government officials, clinicians, newborn families and global scientists. We optimised the initial model using continuous quality improvement with process feedback, outcome measurement and collaborative re-design. Outcomes from the evaluation period are reported.At discharge, the final model resulted in a median of 16 h per day of skin-to-skin contact with 63% effective KMC coverage. Fifty-three percent sustained effective KMC to 7 days post-discharge.It is possible to achieve high coverage (63%), high-quality KMC at public hospitals without prior KMC services using government-owned, multisectoral collaborative design. Targeted co-design, real-time data and customisation of KMC interventions with input from impacted stakeholders was critical in achieving high coverage and sustained quality.