Ifakara Health Institute today joined Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, Temeke Referral Hospital, and other partners implementing the NEST360 (Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies) program in Tanzania in launching a new partnership for improved newborn care in Tanzania. Tanzania’s Health Minister, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, was chief guest.  

Temeke Hospital coordinated the grand opening of the newborn ward with global World Prematurity Day, which takes place on November 17. The day aims to raise awareness for the challenges of preterm birth and shine a light on the risks and consequences faced by preterm infants and their families worldwide.

NEST360 Principal Investigator, Dr. Honorati Masanja and Pediatrician and Clinical Lead for the Program, Dr. Nahya Salim, say the newly improved newborn ward is now able to offer a bundle of innovative medical technologies with training to transform care for small and sick newborns.

According to UNICEF, in 2019, 42,814 babies born in Tanzania died in their first 28 days of life. The government is committed to improving newborn survival and reducing the risk of death and disability at the time of birth to reach national and global targets.

The NEST360 program implementation, which Ifakara Health Institute is part of, involves facility renovations to support the installation of new devices such as phototherapy lights, oxygen concentrators, and suction pumps. The government also organizes training for doctors, nurses, and biomedical technicians on how to use, maintain and repair equipment plus continuous quality improvement initiatives throughout the program. #

Read the press release about the event.

More photos from this event.