DAR ES SALAAM: THE Internationally renowned American artist, Alicia Keys is expected to arrive in Tanzania to take part in the inauguration of a special facility dedicated to the care of preterm babies, with the official date of the event set to be announced soon.
Speaking to media outlets at the offices of the Doris Mollel Foundation in Dar es Salaam, the foundation’s Executive Director, Doris Mollel, said the building was constructed through a partnership between her foundation and Alicia Keys’ foundation, which made a significant contribution to the project.
She added that the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is also expected to visit Tanzania to officially inaugurate the facility.
The building, described as the first of its kind in the country to offer high-quality, specialized care for preterm infants, has been constructed at Kwimba District Hospital, in Mwanza Region.
According to Doris Mollel, the project is valued at 2.125bn/-n and is expected to significantly improve preterm infant care services—not only in Tanzania but across Africa.
“I met with Dr Tedros on several occasions and explained to him the major challenges we face globally, particularly in Africa, in improving care for preterm babies. I shared my dream of seeing him come to Tanzania to inaugurate the first dedicated facility for preterm infants,” she said.
She explained that the building was designed around the concept of zero separation, which ensures that newborns are not separated from their mothers immediately after birth—a practice known to improve infant health outcomes and maternal well-being.
“The facility can accommodate 42 babies at a time. This number may seem small, but it is intentional, as each mother requires adequate space to provide optimal care for her baby. The building also includes special areas for fathers to participate in caregiving, as well as priority spaces for nurses, considering the demanding nature of their work environment,” she added.
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Doris further noted that newly recruited staff are currently undergoing specialized training to ensure the services provided meet high standards. She confirmed that Alicia Keys’ foundation, together with its delegation, is expected to arrive in Tanzania once the official inauguration date is announced.