Today, the NEST360 program, implemented by the Ifakara Health Institute in collaboration with MUHAS, the Ministry of Health, PO-RALG, and partners, has officially handed over newly renovated newborn care units at the Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital and Mbeya Regional Referral Hospital. 

The upgraded facilities include the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU), general neonatal ward, and Kangaroo Mother and Father Care (KMC and KFC) wards. Essential life-saving technologies such as CPAP machines, phototherapy devices, and oxygen concentrators have also been installed to improve the quality of care for newborns.

In his opening remarks, the guest of honor, Regional Commissioner Mbeya Hon. Beno Malisa, stated that Newborn deaths remain a major challenge. Every year, 50,000 newborns die—equivalent to one child every ten minutes. Of these, 40,000 are newborns and 1,200 are maternal deaths, occurring in our country. Eighty percent of these deaths are preventable. This is a crisis we cannot accept (World Health Organization, 2023).” 

In his opening remarks, Dr Honorati Masanja, Ifakara Executive Director and NEST360 Country Lead, stated, “I would like to sincerely thank and commend all healthcare providers serving newborns in these hospitals for their contribution and professional dedication, day and night. I also appeal that for Tanzania to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 by 2030—to reduce under-12-month mortality to below 12 per 1,000 live births—we must proceed quickly but carefully, with the highest level of professionalism. The government must increase investments in human resources, data systems, healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment, and high-quality service delivery.” 

The renovated facilities are expected to cultivate excellence for neonatal and pediatric care in the Southern Highlands. The upgrades will reduce congestion and improve service delivery for newborns and mothers while building the capacity of healthcare workers through training and mentorship.

A Shared Commitment to Saving Newborn Lives
Dr. Masanja, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving newborn survival: “As we continue expanding efforts to reach the 483,000 newborns who need hospital care each year, NEST360 is working with regional and district hospitals to bring quality care closer to communities.”

In reaffirming the government commitment the guest of honor stated; “On behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, I sincerely thank NEST360 and all its partners for their dedication to improving newborn care services in our country. Let us continue working shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure every newborn has a chance to survive.”