On January 8, 2026, the NEST360 team in Tanzania bid farewell to Prof. Joy Lawn, a member of the NEST360 Steering Committee, following the completion of her six-month sabbatical in the country as she heads back to London to resume her duties. 

The farewell dinner brought together colleagues and partners to reflect on her contributions to newborn health during her time in Tanzania.

Speaking at the event, the Ifakara Health Institute Chief Executive Director and NEST360 Tanzania Country Lead, Dr. Honorati Masanja, expressed his appreciation to Prof. Lawn for choosing to spend her sabbatical in Tanzania and for the close collaboration and support during the past 6 months.

Reflecting on her experience, Prof. Lawn described her time in Tanzania as deeply meaningful both professionally and personally. “My six months’ sabbatical in Tanzania with NEST360 and partners, notably IHI and MUHAS plus the Ministry of Health, has been a highlight in my 30 years working on newborn survival across 20 countries in Africa—East, West and South,” she said.

She also praised the progress she witnessed in neonatal care while emphasizing the need to accelerate change stating “Improvements in space, staff and data-driven quality of care are moving, but need to go four times faster to save the 48,000 Tanzanian newborns who die from preventable causes each year.”

Highlighting the people she worked with, she added “My top highlight is the people—fantastic healthcare professionals, biomedical engineers, data scientists and researchers leading change. The part that is unique to Tanzania is Harambe—working together. Asante! Tutaonana!”

Prof. Lawn leaves Tanzania having strengthened partnerships and inspired renewed momentum toward improving newborn survival.