Newborn health partners
Work with NNAT on mentorship, neonatal-care quality, community awareness, and policy priorities that improve outcomes for newborns.
Neonatal Nurses Association of Tanzania
Advancing quality neonatal nursing care across Tanzania.
NNAT empowers neonatal nurses, strengthens newborn health services, and brings professional nursing voices into national neonatal-care priorities.
Members and neonatal nurses
Join a professional community focused on capacity building, advocacy, ethical practice, and confident neonatal nursing care.
About NNAT
A professional association for stronger neonatal care.
Neonatal Nurses Association of Tanzania (NNAT) is a non-governmental organization based in the United Republic of Tanzania, dedicated to promoting and advancing neonatal healthcare.
The organization focuses on empowering, building the capacity of, and supporting nurses working in neonatal-related units and wards across the country.
NNAT is committed to making a positive impact by addressing critical and holistic issues affecting newborn health, including health-system, policy, and community-level factors.
NNAT aims to work closely alongside the Ministry of Health as a supportive partner while collaborating with local communities, government agencies, and partner organizations to design and implement effective neonatal-care interventions.
Vision
All newborns receive high-quality care by competent and confident neonatal nurses.
Mission
To advance quality neonatal nursing care with positive newborn health outcomes.
Overall Goal
To ensure all newborns receive quality care through empowering neonatal nurses.
National Contribution
NNAT contributes to national efforts to build a healthier future for newborns and the broader Tanzanian population.
Objectives
The work NNAT is organized to move forward.
NNAT focuses on professional advocacy, nurse capacity building, community responsiveness, partnerships, innovation, and national neonatal-health planning.
01
Improve neonatal environments
Advocate for improved environments around neonatal health in Tanzania.
02
Build nurse capacity
Lead and organize capacity-building programs for neonatal nurses through mentorship, peer support, and online learning platforms.
03
Grow NNAT branches
Assist the establishment of NNAT branches across the country.
04
Represent neonatal nurses
Provide a voice for neonatal nurses in national platforms.
05
Raise community awareness
Raise community awareness, monitor needs, and provide home-based care.
06
Advance advocacy
Promote policies that support nursing professional autonomy, patient-centered care, and perinatal health rights.
07
Engage associations
Engage with other professional associations and groups to promote better neonatal nursing care.
08
Strengthen accountability
Enhance community responsiveness and accountability in tackling climate-change impacts related to neonatal outcomes.
09
Build partnerships
Build local, international, organizational, and governmental partnerships to jointly fight neonatal mortalities.
10
Create member opportunities
Create opportunities for members to engage in global sustainable-development initiatives.
11
Promote nurse-led innovation
Promote innovations from neonatal nurses that provide solutions to newborn-health challenges.
12
Support national plans
Liaise with the private sector, civil society, and government in implementing national development plans related to neonatal health.
Capacity Building
Mentorship, peer support, and practical learning for neonatal teams.
NNAT uses bedside mentorship, professional learning platforms, and partnerships to help neonatal nurses build confidence and improve newborn-care outcomes.
See ActivitiesValues and Leadership
A care culture built around dignity, skill, and accountability.
Compassionate Care
Providing empathetic, respectful, and individualized care to newborns.
Excellence in Practice
Promoting evidence-based, high-quality care through ongoing education and professional development.
Collaboration and Partnership
Fostering strong relationships among healthcare professionals, families, and communities.
Empowerment and Autonomy
Supporting midwives in their practice, promoting autonomy, and encouraging professional growth.
Respect and Inclusivity
Valuing diversity, promoting cultural sensitivity, and respecting the unique needs and experiences of mothers and families.
Continuous Improvement
Encouraging ongoing learning, innovation, and quality improvement to enhance care and outcomes.
Integrity
Believing in honesty, strong moral principles, and ethical behavior.
Dignity
Focusing on privacy, family-centered care, and confidentiality.
Leadership
Experienced leaders guiding NNAT's national contribution.
NNAT is formed by a team of experienced experts and leaders in national health executive posts, professional political leadership positions, and nursing and midwifery specialized skills.
The team has a long outstanding track record in leading the implementation of initiatives and innovations in government institutions and the NGO sector.
The President serves as the association spokesperson while day-to-day program operations are led by the Chief Executive Officer through program heads.
Association Leadership
Strategic oversight, public representation, and advocacy for neonatal nursing priorities.
Program Operations
Daily implementation is coordinated through the Chief Executive Officer and heads of programs.
General Secretary
Ms. Janeth Cathles serves as General Secretary.
Leadership Gallery
Photos extracted from the NNAT organizational profile, showing association leaders and facility-support work.
NNAT Leadership
Association oversight
Program Leadership
Implementation and coordination
Ms. Janeth Cathles
General Secretary
NNAT Team
Mentorship and facility support
Kickoff Activities
Implemented work from the NNAT organizational profile.
NNAT has already begun building visibility, stakeholder trust, and practical neonatal-care capacity through mentorship, policy participation, and maternal and newborn health advocacy.
Mentorship Program on Neonatal and Maternal Care Skills
NNAT founding members conducted bedside mentorship and skills training for nurses, doctors, and midwives working in the NICU and labor ward at Kimara Health Centre, a high-volume facility with approximately 600 to 700 deliveries per month. A baseline assessment shaped the training focus, and participants strengthened skills in neonatal resuscitation, neonatal equipment use and troubleshooting, essential newborn care, intrapartum care, neonatal intensive care, and management of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
Involvement in Policy-Level Workshops and Meetings
NNAT members participated in critical national-level meetings and workshops. In September 2025, an NNAT representative attended a two-week Ministry of Health workshop to develop the National RMNCAH Capacity Building Guide. In November 2025, NNAT was represented in the National Child and Adolescent Health Technical Working Group meeting, strengthening its contribution to national child and adolescent health decisions.
Advocacy and Leadership in Maternal and Newborn Health Services
NNAT leadership helped Muhimbili National Hospital - Mloganzila allocate a budget for a Perinatal Mental Health guide, including facilitators' and participants' manuals and structured PowerPoint presentations. The initiative introduced one of Tanzania's first structured perinatal mental health interventions and supported integration into routine maternal and neonatal healthcare services. A six-week clinical attachment program in Perinatal Mental Health has now been established, with the first cohort completed.
Profile Updates
MentorshipNewNov 2025
NNAT Mentorship Program Strengthens Neonatal and Maternal Care Skills
NNAT founding members conducted bedside mentorship at Kimara Health Centre, supporting nurses, doctors, and midwives in neonatal resuscitation, essential newborn care, intrapartum care, equipment use, and hypertensive-disorder management.
PolicyNov 2025
NNAT Contributes to National RMNCAH and Child Health Policy Forums
NNAT representatives joined Ministry of Health forums, including the National RMNCAH Capacity Building Guide workshop and the National Child and Adolescent Health Technical Working Group meeting.
Contact NNAT
Reach the Neonatal Nurses Association of Tanzania for membership, partnership, mentorship, policy collaboration, or organizational profile details.
Location: Kisarawe District Council, Kisarawe
Postal Address: P.O. Box 28003, Pwani
Phone: +255 713 158 573
Email: nnattanzania@gmail.com