The 11th Tanzania Health Summit kicked off today, October 1, 2024, in Zanzibar, with the Newborn Essential Solutions & Technologies (NEST360) program, implemented by Ifakara Health Institute and partners in Tanzania, showcasing its innovative tools for newborn care. 

This year’s summit has attracted over 1,500 participants, including the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, along with other prominent figures. 

The event spans three days, offering 40 forums, high-level thematic discussions, and keynote sessions, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among health professionals and stakeholders.

NEST360’s presentations
NEST360 is playing a pivotal role in the summit, with its team scheduled to deliver presentations on Day 2. An Ifakara scientist, Jitihada Baraka, will share findings on the perceptions of healthcare providers and parents regarding the use of CPAP treatment to improve newborn survival in Tanzania. 

Another Ifakara scientist, Josephat Mutakyamilwa, will present on how periodic mentorship can enhance the quality and coverage of newborn care in the regions of Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, and Kilimanjaro. 

Furthermore, an Ifakara data manager and app developer, Irabi Kassim, will provide insights into using machine learning algorithms to forecast CPAP demand in neonatal inpatient care across Tanzanian healthcare facilities. 

Day 2: Highlighting innovation in newborn care
NEST360 played a pivotal role at the summit, with its team delivering key presentations on Day 2. Ifakara scientist Jitihada Baraka shared findings on healthcare providers' and parents' perceptions of CPAP treatment for newborn survival in Tanzania. Her study highlighted the importance of CPAP but emphasized the need for comprehensive planning and proper budgeting to ensure quality care, especially during health system shocks. Investment in reliable supplies like oxygen, consumables, and equipment parts is essential to reduce neonatal mortality.

Josephat Mutakyamilwa presented on the impact of periodic mentorship in improving the quality and coverage of newborn care in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, and Kilimanjaro. He found that mentorship, along with data use, helped improve newborn care interventions, with success depending on leadership commitment, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing evaluation.

Irabi Kassim provided insights on using machine learning to forecast CPAP demand in neonatal care across Tanzanian healthcare facilities. He found that this approach improves resource allocation and planning, particularly in resource-limited settings, ensuring critical equipment is available when needed.

These presentations shed light on innovative approaches to addressing critical gaps in neonatal care.

Day 3: WHO Regional Director for Africa-elect visits NEST360
Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Director for Africa-elect, visited the NEST360 booth, where he met with the team and was introduced to the NEST360 program by Hope Peter, a Biomedical Engineer within the program. They also discussed how the program supports local innovation in medical technologies through its design studio at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) and the challenge of limited capacity for medical equipment validation in Tanzania. 

Dr Ndugulile expressed interest in supporting local solutions. Additionally, committing to strengthening capacity-building efforts for medical equipment validation within the country.

About the Summit
Founded in 2014, the Tanzania Health Summit is a platform dedicated to improving health outcomes in the country. It focuses on raising awareness, shaping policies, and driving innovations in healthcare. Through forums like this, the summit provides an opportunity for public and private sector actors to engage, share best practices, and explore cutting-edge solutions that can be implemented across the health system.

About NEST360
NEST360, a global consortium, is committed to reducing newborn deaths by 50% in hospitals across four African nations—Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, and Nigeria. The program uses an evidence-based model to sustainably improve healthcare systems by addressing gaps in technology, market access, and human resources. In Tanzania, the NEST360 program works in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to enhance the quality of neonatal care, guided by the National Guidelines for Neonatal Care. Since its inception in 2019, NEST360 has been implemented in major hospitals such as Muhimbili National Hospital (Upanga and Mloganzila), Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, with these hospitals serving as hubs for mentorship and support within their respective regions.

As the summit continues, participants are looking forward to its grand closing ceremony, which will be presided over by the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi. In addition to the CHIA Innovation Awards and THS Healthcare Awards, the summit will feature over 200 abstract presentations, the THS-PEPFAR HIV Best Practices Awards, the PEPFAR Youth Congress, and a series of engaging workshops, marking another impactful milestone in Tanzania's health journey.