The NEST360 program, which is being implemented in Tanzania by Ifakara Health Institute and partners, has hosted another session of training of trainers for clinicians, nurses, engineers and technicians focusing care for infants and using related technologies effectively.

The training, titled “adult learning and effective teaching,” was held for three days in Dar es Salaam from April 4-6, 2022. This is part of NEST360’s sessions using the Generic Instructor Course (GIC) developed as a training resource to build the teaching and mentoring skills of clinical and technical professionals.

A multidisciplinary team of facilitators and participants from three African countries - Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi – attended. The training modes included lectures, demonstrations, discussions and practice sessions.

Speaking on the sidelines of the training, NEST360 program Training Coordinator Josephat Mutakyamilwa, said, “This training enables trainees to learn how to care for infants and how to use different technologies. In the health industry, teaching is part of everyday life between coworkers and also patients. So, this is essentially an opportunity to learn from each other and teach each other.”

Participants in the training were from Dar es Salaam - Muhimbili National Hospital, Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital, Temeke Regional Referral Hospital and, Amana Regional Referral Hospital. And from Mbeya and Kilimanjaro regions, those in attendance came from Mbeya Regional Referral Hospital and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC).

NEST 360 plans to conduct more similar trainings in the near future with the next one planned for Mbeya region. The program also plans to organize GIC in universities and colleges across Tanzania, providing lecturers with the opportunity to learn and then teach their students.

The GIC is designed to equip potential instructors with skills on how to teach life support courses. After completing the GIC training, participants are expected to have practised and displayed competency in teaching using their chosen methods. Successful participants are certified as instructors for relevant provider courses and may be nominated as a GIC facilitator candidates.

About NEST 360
Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST360) is a global consortium committed to reducing newborn deaths by 50% in hospitals, currently conducted in Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, and Nigeria. The program is an evidence-based model for sustainable health system change to close the gaps in technology, markets, and human resources for the implementation of quality hospital-based newborn care on a national scale.

In Tanzania, the NEST program works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, to improve the quality of comprehensive newborn care units as stipulated in the National guideline for neonatal care and the establishment of neonatal care units.

Phase I of the program started in late 2019 in three tertiary hospitals i.e., Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH Upanga), Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH Mloganzila) and Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital. Implementation at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) started in February 2022. The three regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam i.e., Mwananyamala, Amana and Temeke started implementation in 2020. The tertiary hospitals will be the ‘learning hubs’ to ensure mentorship and supportive supervision within the selected regions.

View more photos here.