Strengthening Early Childhood Development: Tanzania Advances a National Neurodevelopmental Surveillance Tool
From 2–6 February 2026, a national workshop on the Tanzania Child Neurodevelopmental Surveillance Tool was held at Seascape Hotel, Dar es Salaam. Convened by the Pediatric Association of Tanzania in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Ministry of Health, the workshop aimed to develop a practical, culturally appropriate tool for use in primary healthcare settings.
Over five days, participants finalized five core developmental domains, defined age-specific milestones with clear referral “red flags,” and adopted a simple color-coded interpretation system to support frontline providers. The team agreed to pilot the tool as a standalone document, supported by a mixed-methods evaluation framework to assess feasibility, acceptability, provider capacity, and early detection outcomes.
The initiative marks an important step toward strengthening early identification, referral pathways, and child development services across Tanzania.
Stakeholders Convene in Morogoro to Align Messages on Maternal Micronutrient Supplementation
The Paediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT) participated in a three-day national workshop held in Morogoro to develop harmonized messages on Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS).
The Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre organized the workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, and other partners.
Deliberations focused on addressing maternal micronutrient deficiencies and reaffirmed that the United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation (UNIMMAP) is recommended for pregnant women as part of antenatal care due to its proven benefits on maternal nutrition and birth outcomes.
The meeting also clarified that UNIMMAP is not suitable for routine use in children, given its pregnancy-specific formulation and dosage.
The workshop strengthened consensus on evidence-based national messaging to support the planned scale-up of MMS, pending final policy guidance and readiness of procurement and supply systems.
3rd–5th February 2026, Morogoro Region
Strengthening Pediatric Care Through the Review of National Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines
The Pediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT) participated in the national review and validation of the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG) and National Essential Medicines List (NEMLIT), convened by the Ministry of Health in Morogoro from 9–13 February 2026. The meeting aimed to ensure that pediatric needs are comprehensively addressed within national treatment policies.
Representing PAT, the pediatric delegate reviewed and strengthened neonatal and child health sections, advocated for age-appropriate dosing and child-friendly formulations, and promoted rational antibiotic use in line with antimicrobial stewardship principles. The team also emphasized harmonization between treatment recommendations and essential medicines to prevent gaps in implementation.
Key outcomes included recognition of the need for sustained pediatric involvement in national guideline development, formal documentation of pediatric review processes, capacity building for healthcare providers, and consistent availability of recommended formulations. These efforts are critical to improving the quality, safety, and standardization of healthcare services for children across Tanzania.
National Taskforce Meeting on Review of Laws Regulating Breast-milk Substitutes
The Pediatric Association of Tanzania participated in a National Taskforce meeting held in Morogoro from 2–6 February 2026 to review and propose amendments to the Breast-milk Substitutes (Regulation and Control) Act, 2013.
The meeting was convened by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards, following regulatory changes after the restructuring of the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority.
Bringing together regulators, nutritionists, and pediatricians, the forum addressed legal gaps to strengthen infant and young child feeding protections. Pediatric representatives advanced key proposals, including banning industry-sponsored benefits to health workers, expanding marketing protections to children under five years, prohibiting digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes, banning promotion of infant foods below six months, and reinforcing restrictions on artificial teats and pacifiers.
The meeting underscored the importance of strong, evidence-based regulation to safeguard breastfeeding.
PAT Participates in Technical Working Group Meeting for RMNCAH 2026
2–6 February 2026, Morogoro Region
The Pediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT) participated in a Technical Working Group meeting held in the Morogoro Region to prepare for the 3rd Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Scientific Conference scheduled for 18–20 November 2026.
The meeting reviewed progress and strengthened coordination among stakeholders while finalizing key preparations, including updating the conference website, developing the implementation plan and timelines, preparing the budget, drafting a resource mobilization concept note, and establishing core committees — Scientific, Abstract Review, Logistics, Communication, and Resource Mobilization.
PAT was represented by Dr. Monica Cyprian, with further commitments to serve on sub-committees. PAT’s active engagement reinforces pediatric leadership and collaboration to advance national RMNCAH priorities and improve health outcomes in Tanzania.