A Good Start 2: Increase neonatal survival at eight health facilities in Tanzania
Situation:
With 24 deaths per 1,000 live births, neonatal mortality in Tanzania remains alarmingly high. Evidence based interventions exist but rural health facilities in particular face shortages in adequate infrastructure, medical equipment, and qualified staff. In addition, knowledge gaps hinder the adoption of life-saving newborn care at home, calling for a comprehensive approach to newborn health.
Objectives:
Increase perinatal and neonatal survival at eight key health facilities in Morogoro Region, Tanzania through high-quality services, better informed pregnant women and the use of operational research results.
- Annual number of admissions to the Newborn Care Units (per health facility)
- Annual percentage of women who express satisfaction with the quality of services received (per health facility)
- Cumulative number of policy and technical meetings where partners share knowledge generated by the project
- Provision of innovative medical equipment such as the Moyo Foetal Heart Rate Monitor, Vayu CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines
- Capacity building of HCWs in delivery and neonatal care, focusing on practical (simulation-based) trainings and mentoring
- Sensitization and information of communities, pregnant women, and families in the three catchment areas through quarterly radio announcements, live sessions and the establishment of birth preparedness clubs
- Generation and sharing of new evidence to identify enablers and barriers of home-based Kangaroo Care and share research findings with decision makers
- Co-develop (with the partners) a “Guide to improve neonatal health in Tanzania” for policy dialogue and fundraising
The project was developed in close collaboration with district and regional health authorities. SolidarMed acts as a facilitating partner, while local health structures are responsible for implementation. Recommendations from the external evaluation are incorporated into the current project phase. Interventions and research components are supported by robust monitoring to promote knowledge transfer and identify evidence-based scaling opportunities. With extensive experience in integrating projects into existing health systems, SolidarMed contributes to long-term sustainability. The measures are aligned with national priorities and support the achievement of national key health goals.
The research component of the project provides scientific insights into the application of the Kangaroo Method in home settings. This method plays a significant role in preventing neonatal deaths. Findings from both research and project implementation form the basis for policy dialogue on scaling up the interventions.
In addition, the project introduces new, context-appropriate medical equipment (e.g. Doppler for measuring fetal heart rate, digital tool for detecting neonatal jaundice), thereby taking clinical care to the next level.
Further information: https://www.solidarmed.ch/de/tansania/gesunder-start-ins-leben
