On May 27 2024, the NEST360 program, implemented by the Ifakara Health Institute and its partners in Tanzania, was delighted to host representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Lily Kak, Senior Advisor for Global Partnership and Newborn Health at USAID, and Miriam Kombe, Project Management Specialist at USAID Tanzania, received a comprehensive overview of NEST360's work and its significant impact on neonatal healthcare in Tanzania.

During their visit, they gained insights into the implementation of NEST360's initiatives, discussed the program's plans for scaling and institutionalizing its efforts, and explored how to leverage partnerships for greater impact. The discussions aimed to ensure sustainable improvements in newborn health outcomes through strategic collaboration.

The officials also visited the NEST360 implementation site at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital, where they observed firsthand how the program and the hospital collaborate to advance neonatal healthcare.

This visit highlights the collaborative efforts and significant progress being made in improving healthcare for newborns in Tanzania.

About NEST360
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.