Moving Forward, Together: Systems Win. Single Interventions Do Not

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Authored by: Victory Kamthunzi

This is the second post in a three-part series recapping NEST360’s participation at IMNHC 2026.

Previous: Blog 1 — Moving Forward, Together: What IMNHC 2026 Meant for Newborn Health

Next: Blog 3 — Moving Forward, Together: From Commitment to Action. Country Ownership, Financing, and the Road to 2030

In sessions focusing on clinical outcomes, workforce, biomedical engineering, and quality of care at International Maternal Newborn Health Conference 2026 (IMNHC 2026), presenters shared methods for achieving rapid progress toward lasting reductions in mortality through bundled, systems-level strategies rather than vertical programs or siloed initiatives.

Partners from three NEST360 implementing countries (Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania), in collaboration with government, presented supporting data on the success of a bundled, systems-based, collaborative approach that addresses all parts of a well-functioning healthcare system. The NEST360 approach includes efforts in the following areas:

strengthening quality of care
equipment availability, maintenance and monitoring
staff training and mentoring
local ownership of data systems to support quality improvement and decision-making.

The evidence indicated that removing any one element out of this systems-based approach diminishes the gains.

As Opeyemi Odedere, NEST360’s Country Director for Nigeria, reflected:

“IMNHC brought together committed stakeholders focused on proven methods to improve maternal and newborn health. A key takeaway is that impact is driven by quality of care, quality data, health financing, and health systems strengthening across the continuum. For Nigeria, the opportunity lies in scaling these approaches and strengthening maternal–newborn linkages to sustainably reduce preventable deaths.”

A key element that sets the NEST360 program apart is its deliberate integration of biomedical engineers as part of the clinical care team, an often overlooked important component of newborn health interventions. While programs frequently focus on equipment provision and clinical training, the long-term functionality, maintenance, and effective use of that equipment are not always adequately accounted for. NEST360’s systems approach recognizes biomedical engineering support as essential to sustaining quality care improvements. For example, partners from Nigeria shared their experiences with establishing a structured biomedical engineering training program delivered through a mixed-methods approach, using simulation, skills practice, and group learning, with a 2:1 participant-to-trainer ratio. Within participating facilities, this approach resulted in significant improvements in biomedical engineering knowledge and measurable increases in adherence to equipment management and maintenance best practices.

NEST360 Nigeria team outlined their next step of incorporating biomedical engineering training into Nigeria’s national health system curricula, translating the inspiring project-specific results into sustainable change at the national level.

Data Access Advancing Necessary Change

Conference presentations highlighted the benefits of using data in a systems approach to improving newborn care. A common theme in these data-focused presentations was an acknowledgment of the gap between data collection and data use. Speakers noted that many countries have robust data-reporting systems, but frontline teams do not see the information flowing upward from their wards for evaluation and action. During a panel session, Helga Fogstad, Director of UNICEF Health Program, stated:

“When data goes dark, accountability dies.”

The most successful solutions for improving care are often tied to a better understanding of a system through its data. This understanding can lead to action and changes that improve care.

Presenters emphasized that “good enough data,” which may be more accessible to a healthcare team, can consistently drive improvements. The speakers contrasted “good enough data” with “perfect data,” which may be more refined but often sits unused in inaccessible databases. The “good enough” solutions that are easy to implement within the hospital workflow and accessible to caregivers and administrators can have a significant impact on outcomes. Presenters outlined some characteristics of successful data systems, including:

Development of simple, user-friendly data dashboards co-designed with health workers
Digitized registers that reduce duplication of record-keeping
Referral-tracking systems that serve as a link between the community and the facility

During the NEST360 Data-to-Action session, the presenters captured this idea well: data use, they explained, is not only about the data that is available. Successful data use hinges on having the data easily accessible to the right decision-makers who are involved in discussions about the information, taking action on it, and developing processes to catalyze the impact.

What this means for 2030

The Lancet Newborn Series on Impact, Innovations, Implementation, Investment to inform acceleration for neonatal survival and preventing stillbirths, presented for the first time at IMNHC 2026, reinforced what country experiences already demonstrate. We have the interventions. CPAP saves preterm babies struggling to breathe. Kangaroo Mother Care keeps small babies warm and thriving. Structured biomedical engineering training keeps equipment functional. Locally owned data systems help hospitals improve, and governments track progress. The interventions are not in question. The task is to make them work together, everywhere, within well-structured systems and budgets.

Prof. Chinyere Ezeaka, NEST360 Country Lead, Nigeria, reflects:

“Every minute we delay prioritizing care for small and sick newborns, we lose lives that could have been saved with simple, proven interventions that are within reach.

In our NEST360 Nigeria implementation, I see daily how timely access to skilled care, supported by appropriate technologies such as CPAP, phototherapy, and reliable monitoring makes the difference between living and dying.

It is time to prioritise them decisively: equip our facilities, empower our teams, and give every newborn a real chance at life.

To end preventable child deaths, these small and sick newborn babies must move from the margins to the centre of our health agenda – NOW!”