Dar es Salaam, 24-25 October 2024 — The Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST360) initiative, implemented in Tanzania by the Ifakara Health Institute and partners, recently convened key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health and President's Office, Regional Administration and Local Government Tanzania (PO-RALG), to review progress from Phase 1 and align strategies for Phase 2.

The NEST 360 program continues to make strides in reducing neonatal mortality in Tanzania, with a goal to decrease deaths from 24 to 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030. In this recent meeting, Dr. Honorati Masanja, Ifakara Chief Executive Director outlined this objective, emphasizing the importance of effective neonatal care infrastructure and collaborative teamwork to achieve global health targets.

The event featured presentations from the NEST360 team, who underscored the critical need for well-equipped neonatal facilities. Dr. Felix Bundala, Assistant Director of Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of improved infrastructure in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) to keep mothers and babies together, noting the role of maternal support in improving neonatal health outcomes.

Dr. Nahya Salim provided an overview of NEST360's planned expansion into additional countries, including Ethiopia in Phase 2. She introduced the "Hub and Spoke" model, designed to streamline newborn referrals across healthcare levels, enhancing accessibility and efficiency. Phase 1 achievements showcased included comprehensive facility assessments and the integration of newborn data into Tanzania's national health information system.

Dr. Robert Tilya noted ongoing challenges, such as the need to foster a stronger sense of ownership and leadership within NICUs, to reinforce commitment and elevate neonatal care quality.

About NEST360

NEST360 is a global consortium dedicated to reducing newborn mortality by 50% in hospitals across Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, and Nigeria. This evidence-based initiative supports sustainable health system change by bridging gaps in technology, markets, and workforce resources to implement high-quality newborn care nationwide. In Tanzania, NEST360 collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health to enhance the quality of neonatal care units in alignment with the national neonatal care guidelines.