On December 5, 2024, the Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST360) program was launched for the first time in the Mwanza region as part of the broader second phase of the initiative

At the launch event, Dr. Mariam Johari, NEST360's Country Liaison, underscored the importance of expanding the program into Mwanza. “We are proud to build on the success of Phase 1, where over 100,000 newborns have benefitted annually across multiple countries. Now, we are bringing these life-saving services to Mwanza to ensure more mothers and children in this region have access to quality, sustainable care,” Dr. Johari stated.

The program has committed to investing $7.1 million in support of the Government’s efforts to reduce neonatal deaths, benefiting 25 hospitals across four mainland regions and three hospitals in Zanzibar.

The Guest of Honor, Chagu Nghoma, Acting Regional Administrative Secretary, officially launched the program and expressed the region's gratitude. He reaffirmed Mwanza’s commitment to achieving the program’s goals and urged all stakeholders to collaborate in efforts to save newborn lives.

Mwanza will also see significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, with a focus on strengthening both high-level hospitals and smaller district healthcare centers. Bugando Hospital will serve as the region’s central hub, supported by regional facilities like Sekou Toure Regional Referral Hospital and district hospitals in Sengerema, Misungwi, Buchosa, and Nyamagana, forming an interconnected care network.

This integrated approach, successfully implemented during Phase 1, will ensure a continuum of care for mothers and newborns. By partnering with organizations such as M-mama, WatotoCare, Touch Health, and the Safer Birth Bundle of Care (SBBC), the program aims to provide comprehensive support from pregnancy through early childhood.

Dr. Johari emphasized the importance of strengthening the healthcare system at all levels: “By empowering local healthcare providers and building robust infrastructure, we ensure that every newborn, no matter where they are, has access to the high-quality care they deserve.”