On 23 July 2026, Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), convened key stakeholders from  Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar for a one-day Learning and Sharing Workshop aimed at promoting the role of human-centred design in improving maternal and newborn health and ensuring respectful, dignified care.

Held in Dar es Salaam, the workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Muhimbili National Hospital, the Pediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT), the Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Tanzania (AGOTA), the Tanzania Midwives Association (TAMA), Health Improvement Project Zanzibar (HIPZ), Doris Mollel Foundation, Thamini Uhai, and WAJAMAMA Zanzibar.

Learning from human-centred design approaches in Africa

The workshop, jointly hosted by Ifakara Health Institute and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, formed part of a regional knowledge exchange initiative. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement shared experiences from its Gates Foundation-funded Delivering More project, which demonstrates the application of human-centred design to improve maternal and newborn care in Ethiopia and Kenya. The workshop also highlighted ongoing initiatives in Tanzania, identified opportunities for improvement, and strengthened collaboration to advance maternal and newborn health outcomes.

Applying human-centred design to strengthen care delivery

The meeting reflects ongoing efforts by Ifakara and its partners to strengthen health systems and ensure mothers and newborns receive high-quality, dignified, and equitable care.

Participants explored how human-centred design principles can be applied to maternal and newborn care settings in Tanzania, shared experiences from ongoing initiatives, and identified opportunities for collaboration to improve health outcomes. 

The workshop also emphasized the importance of respectful and family-centred care as a cornerstone of quality healthcare delivery.

Building partnerships for healthier mothers and newborns

Through collaborations such as these, Ifakara Health Institute continues to advance evidence-based solutions that improve health outcomes and contribute to healthier communities across Tanzania and beyond.