Breathing for Babies (BfB): Strengthening Newborn Care Partnerships
In January, the Breathing for Babies (BfB) study formally onboarded the Paediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT) as an implementing partner, alongside the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, and GOAL3. PAT now contributes to study leadership through a Clinical Co-Principal Investigator.
GOAL3 supplied 125 IMPALA continuous monitors, enabling real-time tracking of newborn vital signs, shifting care from intermittent checks to early detection and timely intervention, a critical step to prevent avoidable neonatal deaths.
PAT led inception visits, developed and accredited a standardized response curriculum, trained and mentored healthcare providers, conducted root-cause analyses for CPAP failure and neonatal deaths, and assessed provider experience.
The study is being implemented at Muhimbili National Hospital (Upanga and Mloganzila), regional referral hospitals (Mwananyamala, Amana, Temeke), and district hospitals (Yombo, Kivule, Mabwepande).
Early results point to improved recognition of newborn deterioration, stronger protocol adherence, and better 72-hour survival.
PAT invites partners, donors, and institutions to collaborate in scaling research, curriculum implementation, and structured mentorship to strengthen newborn survival across Tanzania.
PAT Participates in National Workshop on Integrating Nurturing Care and ECD Indicators into AfyaSS and eHMIS
A four-day national technical workshop convened by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, to integrate Nurturing Care and Early Childhood Development (ECD) indicators into Tanzania's electronic health systems.
Integrating ECD into routine health services ensures children not only survive but thrive. Embedding nurturing care indicators into national systems strengthens supervision, accountability, and data-driven decision-making for child health nationwide.
With support from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, stakeholders, including the Paediatric Association of Tanzania and the Tanzania Early Childhood Development Network, reviewed national standards, supervision tools, and platform structures.
Participants agreed on priority ECD and nurturing care indicators, refined supervision checklists, and confirmed an approach that embeds ECD within routine child health supervision rather than as a parallel activity.
The agreed indicators will be integrated and validated for national scale-up. Continued collaboration among government, professional bodies, and partners is essential to implement.
PAT and Partners Host CME on Caffeine Citrate in Apnea of Prematurity
The Paediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT), in collaboration with Chiesi, hosted a Continuing Medical Education (CME) session in Serena Hotel - Dar es Salaam, focused on the role of caffeine citrate in managing Apnea of Prematurity.
The event was important because Apnea of prematurity remains a common and potentially life-threatening condition among preterm newborns. Strengthening clinicians' knowledge of evidence-based therapies such as caffeine citrate is critical to improving survival and respiratory outcomes for this vulnerable population.
During the CME, neonatologists and paediatricians discussed the science, safety, dosing, and practical use of caffeine citrate across the continuum of care — from the delivery room to discharge.
Expert presentations highlighted its proven effectiveness in reducing apneic episodes and its alignment with global recommendations, including those of the World Health Organization, and its contextualization within Tanzania's NICU settings.
The CME reaffirmed caffeine citrate as a cornerstone therapy for AOP and underscored the value of collaboration between professional associations and partners. PAT calls on healthcare facilities and clinicians to continue adopting evidence-based newborn care practices and to invest in ongoing training to improve outcomes for preterm infants across Tanzania.
PAT Participates in the Launch of Thamini Uhai: Mjamzito na Mtoto Salama Project
On 29 January 2026, the Paediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT) participated in the official launch of the Thamini Uhai: Mjamzito na Mtoto Salama project in Dodoma. The event marked a key national milestone in strengthening maternal, newborn, and child health services in Tanzania.
The launch was important because it reaffirmed the Government's high-level commitment to reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The Guest of Honour, Dr. Ahmad Makuwani, Director of Reproductive Health, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Health, underscored this commitment.
The event brought together government leaders, health professionals, development partners, and implementing organizations, highlighting strong multi-sectoral collaboration.
During the launch, the project's focus on safe pregnancy, quality childbirth, and comprehensive maternal and newborn care was emphasized, with implementation targeting Geita, Kigoma, and Katavi. PAT was represented by its General Secretary, Haika Mariki, and Assistant Secretary, Monica Cyprian, reaffirming the Association's role as a key professional partner in national health initiatives.
PAT calls upon all stakeholders to actively support the implementation of the Thamini Uhai project through collaboration, innovation, and commitment to quality care — ensuring that every mother and newborn in Tanzania has a safe and healthy start to life.
A New Voice for Child Health in Africa: the African Journal of Child Health Set to Launch Under PAT
The Paediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT) is proud to announce the upcoming launch of the African Journal of Child Health (AJCH), a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening child health research, and evidence-based practice across the continent. The Journal is expected to begin functioning soon and will operate under the auspices of PAT.
From Vision to Acceptance
The idea of establishing the African Journal of Child Health was formally presented during the National Child Health and Welfare Congress, where it received strong support and approval from delegates, academic leaders, policymakers, and development partners. The acceptance of this proposal marked a significant milestone, reflecting a shared recognition of the urgent need for a dedicated African platform to showcase high-quality child health research.
Why an African Journal of Child Health?
Despite Africa bearing a disproportionate burden of childhood morbidity and mortality, much of the continent's research remains underrepresented in global scientific literature. The African Journal of Child Health aims to bridge this gap by providing a credible, peer-reviewed, and accessible platform for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to share locally generated evidence that is relevant to African contexts.
The Journal will focus on a wide range of topics, including neonatology, paediatrics, adolescent health, nutrition, infectious and non-communicable diseases, child development, health systems, and policy-related research.
Advancing Research, Practice, and Policy
By amplifying African voices, the Journal is expected to:
- Promote locally driven research and innovation in child health
- Support early-career researchers and trainees through mentorship and publication opportunities
- Inform clinical practice and health policy using context-specific evidence
- Foster regional and continental collaboration among child health professionals
The African Journal of Child Health will uphold high editorial and ethical standards, ensuring rigorous peer review and scientific integrity.
A Strategic Step for PAT and the Region
The establishment of the Journal aligns closely with PAT's broader mandate to advocate for quality child healthcare, support continuous professional development, and strengthen research capacity. It also complements PAT's newly launched Five-Year Strategic Plan, reinforcing the Association's leadership role in shaping the future of child health in Tanzania and beyond.
Looking Ahead
As preparations continue, PAT calls upon paediatricians, researchers, academicians, and partners across Africa to engage with and support this new initiative. The African Journal of Child Health represents more than a publication — it is a platform for collaboration, learning, and collective action to improve the lives of children across the continent.
Further updates on editorial structures, submission processes, and launch timelines will be shared in upcoming editions of the PAT Newsletter.