The NEST360 program, implemented in Tanzania by the Ifakara Health Institute and partners, has launched the country’s first-ever hospital registers designed exclusively for newborns. This milestone, achieved in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, marks a transformative step toward strengthening newborn care and data management across the country.

The launch event took place in Dar es Salaam on March 4 2025, bringing together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), and medical officers from Muhimbili National Hospital.

Until now, hospitals in Tanzania relied on general postnatal care registers, which recorded only limited information about newborns. The introduction of these newborn-specific registers will bridge this gap by ensuring that essential newborn health data is properly documented and utilized for better decision-making.

Both govt and private hospitals to benefit

The registers will be deployed in both government and private hospitals nationwide and will facilitate the systematic collection of data for both in and out-patient newborn cases. This data will be integrated into DHIS2 (District Health Information System 2), a national platform that enables real-time data analysis for evidence-based healthcare decisions at both facility and national levels.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Honorati Masanja, Chief Executive Director of Ifakara, described the registers as a “light of hope”, emphasizing their potential to significantly improve newborn survival rates.

“These registers will not only enhance data accuracy but also empower healthcare workers with the information they need to deliver better care. This is a critical milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen neonatal healthcare in Tanzania,” Dr. Masanja said.

Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Angela highlighted how the initiative builds on previous efforts by NEST360 and the Ministry. She pointed to Tanzania’s continued investment in neonatal infrastructure, including the establishment and renovation of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), the provision of essential newborn care equipment, and the training of healthcare workers to ensure effective use of these tools.

Registers to improve quality of data

She also urged healthcare workers to embrace the new registers, emphasizing their role in improving the quality of newborn care nationwide through collecting more accurate data.

To ensure smooth implementation, healthcare workers will undergo training sessions on how to effectively use the new registers. The initial training is taking place over two days in Dar es Salaam, with additional sessions planned across other regions to guarantee widespread adoption.

With strong collaboration between partners, this initiative is set to reshape newborn healthcare in the country—ensuring that every baby’s health is documented, monitored, and prioritized from day one.