Today, the NEST360 program proudly hosted representatives from the Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and principal investigators from the SLL360 (Saving Little Lives) in a significant visit aimed at fostering international collaboration in newborn healthcare.

The delegation from the Ethiopia Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Males Solomon, who is the Head of Newborn and Child Health, alongside representatives from SLL360, headed by Abiy Seifu, received a comprehensive briefing on NEST360's implementation in Tanzania. 

The NEST360 team on the other hand was led by the Program's Country Lead, Dr. Honorati Masanja, who doubles as the Ifakara Health Institute Chief Executive Director and the Program's Senior Program Coordinator at Ifakara Health Institute, Dr. Jane Jaribu. The program’s Implementation Director, Catherine Paul, also attended.

The visit also included tours of key program sites at Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital and Mloganzila Hospital, where they observed the tangible impacts of NEST360's initiatives on neonatal health. During the visit, the Ethiopian representatives shared their insights and perspectives on the observed activities. 

Dr. Males commended the remarkable progress and dedication evident in the NEST360 program, emphasizing the potential benefits of adopting similar strategies in Ethiopia to improve newborn health outcomes. 

On the other hand, Mr. Abiy from SLL360 echoed these sentiments, expressing enthusiasm for the collaborative opportunities and the promising future of neonatal healthcare in both countries.

The NEST360 team provided an in-depth overview of their work in Tanzania, emphasizing the successful strategies and interventions that have significantly improved neonatal healthcare. The program's focus on innovative, sustainable solutions and strong partnerships was particularly noted as a key factor in its success.

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.