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Strengthening neonatal care capacity in rural Tanzania

Location: MTWARA, TANZANIA
Donor: WEISS ASSET MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION
Beneficiaries: 15000
Start Date: 2027-06-01
End Date: 2029-05-31

Strengthening Neonatal Care Capacity in Rural Tanzania is a quality-improvement project aimed at reducing neonatal mortality in five district hospitals by strengthening the capacity of existing neonatal care units. The project will provide essential neonatal equipment and supplies, train 75 healthcare workers in evidence-based newborn resuscitation and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), and establish ongoing mentorship, supportive supervision, and quality improvement systems. The intervention will particularly address preventable deaths associated with low birth weight, prematurity, and birth asphyxia, while improving early identification, stabilization, monitoring, and referral of sick and vulnerable newborns. The project will strengthen facility-level systems and staff competencies to ensure that rural hospitals can provide timely, safe, and quality neonatal care.

Objectives

Strengthen neonatal care infrastructure in five rural district hospitals by equipping and upgrading functional Neonatal Care Units, including HDU and Kangaroo Mother Care facilities. Build the capacity of 75 healthcare workers in evidence-based neonatal care, including newborn resuscitation, KMC, management of low-birth-weight and preterm newborns, respiratory support, and appropriate management of HIE. Establish sustainable mentorship and quality improvement systems through onsite mentorship, virtual case reviews, QI collaboratives, and routine neonatal outcome monitoring. Improve availability of essential neonatal supplies and equipment through strengthened procurement and supply-chain mechanisms to reduce stockouts and service interruptions. Improve neonatal survival and quality of care for approximately 7,500 vulnerable newborns over three years, particularly those affected by low birth weight, prematurity, respiratory distress, and birth asphyxia.

Achievements

Strengthened neonatal care services: Functional neonatal care units were equipped with essential equipment and supplies, improving hospitals’ capacity to provide timely and quality care to sick and vulnerable newborns. Improved healthcare worker capacity: 75 healthcare workers were trained in evidence-based newborn resuscitation and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). Improved newborn resuscitation: Healthcare workers demonstrated improved skills in early recognition and management of birth asphyxia, including effective newborn resuscitation. Expanded KMC services: KMC was strengthened and integrated into routine care for low-birth-weight and preterm newborns, promoting thermal protection, breastfeeding, and improved survival. Established mentorship and supportive supervision: Regular mentorship and supportive supervision systems were established to reinforce clinical skills, adherence to neonatal care standards, and continuous learning. Strengthened quality improvement: Facility-based quality improvement systems were established to identify gaps in neonatal care, monitor key indicators, and implement corrective actions. Improved neonatal outcomes: The project contributed to a reduction in preventable neonatal deaths associated with birth asphyxia and low birth weight, while improving the quality and continuity of neonatal care in participating district hospitals.