On Wednesday, 25 February 2026, the NEST360 program – implemented in Tanzania by the Ifakara Health Institute, the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), the Ministry of Health, and other partners – handed over a newly established Newborn Care Unit at Yombo Vituka Health Centre in Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam.

The new facility was officially opened by the Guest of Honour, Mayor of Temeke Municipal Council, Hon. Uzairu Abdul Athumani, and brought together government officials, regional and district health leaders, development partners, healthcare workers, and community members to mark this important milestone in strengthening care for small and sick newborns.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Honorati Masanja, Chief Executive Director of Ifakara Health Institute and Principal Investigator of NEST360, reaffirmed Ifakara’s commitment to supporting national efforts to reduce preventable newborn deaths:

“Through the implementation of NEST360, we are proud to support the Government’s efforts to reduce newborn mortality in Tanzania. Ministry of Health data show that every ten minutes a newborn's life is lost, yet nearly 80 percent of these deaths are preventable through skilled care, the right equipment, enabling environments, and high-quality services. 

At Ifakara, we remain committed to working alongside the Ministry of Health, PO-RALG, and partners to strengthen guidelines and newborn registers, enhance digital health information systems, train healthcare providers, improve infrastructure, and ensure access to essential equipment so that every newborn has a chance to survive and thrive.”

The Guest of Honor, Mayor Athumani, thanked and congratulated NEST360 and the management of Yombo Vituka Health Centre for bringing modern newborn care technologies to the facility. She emphasized that the health of newborns is a cause close to the heart of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, a tireless champion of maternal and newborn health. He hailed the new unit as a sign that Tanzania is moving in the right direction to save newborn lives and expressed the government's commitment to continued collaboration to strengthen these life-saving efforts.

What the new unit provides

The opening of the Newborn Care Unit at Yombo Vituka marks a significant step forward, as the facility previously did not have a dedicated ward for newborns, requiring referrals to other facilities for specialized care. The new unit now enables comprehensive services on site, including a Kangaroo Mother Care room for preterm babies, a general ward, a High Dependency Unit, and an isolation room—improving both access and quality of care.

The renovation of the ward cost TZS 261,092,605, fully supported by NEST360, alongside medical equipment valued at TZS 64,620,000 and specialized training for healthcare providers to ensure effective service delivery.

The programme continues to support national efforts to reduce newborn mortality, recognizing that many newborn deaths are preventable through skilled care, appropriate equipment, and strengthened health systems. Through close collaboration with government and partners, NEST360 contributes to building resilient and sustainable newborn care services.