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About us

AfyaConnect Health Organisation is a non-profit NGO committed to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, unborn children, and children under five. Our approach combines community engagement through public health education, capacity building through training of healthcare providers, and research. We also emphasize the strategic use of technology to address critical public health challenges, with a particular focus on interventions that directly benefit pregnant women and young children.
Our mission aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Global health data underscores the urgency of this mission: the World Health Organization reports that every two minutes a woman dies from preventable pregnancy-related complications, while approximately 15,000 children die daily before reaching their fifth birthday. These alarming statistics drive AfyaConnect’s commitment to developing sustainable, effective solutions that advance maternal and child health.


Our Vision 

 
A Tanzania where every mother and child survives and thrives, supported by equitable, high-quality healthcare and empowered communities.

Our Mission

 
To advance maternal and child health in Tanzania through research, healthcare worker training, and public health education that strengthens health systems and improves community well-being.

A mother holds her child, smiling happily.

Our Core Values



Integrity

Consistent performance and uptime ensure efficient, reliable service with minimal interruptions and quick response times.


Innovation

Speed and efficiency ensure tasks are completed quickly and resources are used optimally, enhancing productivity and satisfaction.


Collaboration

Growth capability is a system's ability to scale and adapt, meeting increasing demands and evolving needs for long-term success.

Our Programs

Discover our various outreach programs, each thoughtfully crafted to inspire change, foster growth, and build a stronger community.

AFYACONNECT TEAM


JAFARI LUTAVI (RN)

Training and Capacity Building (TCB) Program Officer

Jafari Lutavi is an experienced midwife with more than a decade of professional service in maternal and newborn health. He currently works at Muhimbili National Hospital, where he provides respectful, compassionate, and evidence-based care to mothers and newborns while supporting initiatives that strengthen reproductive health services. 

JULIUS CHANDY

Administrator

Julius Chandy is a Clinical Officer with experience in clinical trials research, public health, and patient care. His work integrates evidence-based clinical practice with structured research implementation to support high-quality healthcare delivery and ethically conducted research.

DAUDI KANYAMALA (RN)

Public Health Education Program Officer

Daudi Kanyamala is a registered midwife with nearly a decade of clinical experience at Muhimbili National Hospital. He provides quality, patient-centered care to women during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period, while also supporting the care of newborns and pediatric patients. 

DR. JOSEPH ASSENGA (MD, MPH)

Executive Director

Joseph Assenga is a Medical Doctor and Public Health Specialist with more than six years of experience in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), health systems strengthening, and program coordination across clinical and academic settings. His work focuses on strengthening health service delivery by linking research, data, and program implementation to practical improvements in healthcare systems.

DR. BWIJO A. BWIJO

Advisory Board Member

Dr. Bwijo is a public health specialist with extensive experience at the intersection of HIV/AIDS, health systems, and development, bringing a strong track record in policy leadership, program implementation, and global health partnerships. He previously served as Programme Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where he worked on integrated approaches linking health outcomes with broader development priorities, including equity, governance, and sustainable financing

PATRICIA KELLY

Advisory Board Member

Patricia Kelly RN, BS was born into a military family, lived in a number of locations and attended school with others of varied backgrounds. This upbringing broadened her horizons and is the genesis of her care of diverse cultures.

Professionally her nursing career started many years ago and culminated in accepting a Global Health assignment teaching in a hospital in Tanzania.

PROF.PASCHAL RUGGAJO

Advisory Board Member

Professor Pascal Rugajo is a physician, academic, and experienced health sector leader who previously served as Director of Curative Services at the Ministry of Health, Tanzania. In that role, he oversaw service delivery across hospitals nationwide, contributing to improvements in clinical care, service organization, and access to specialized treatments. 

DR. GODSON MBEIKYA (MD)

Chairperson Board of Directors

Godson Edwin Mbeikya is a Medical Doctor with experience in clinical care, emergency management, and healthcare service delivery. He serves in a leadership role as a Medical Officer in Charge, where he oversees hospital service delivery, supervises clinical teams, and promotes quality patient care.

PROF.SAYOKI MFINANGA

Advisory Board Member

Professor Sayoki Mfinanga is a globally recognized epidemiologist and clinical research leader with extensive experience in generating high-quality evidence to inform health policy and practice across Africa. He currently serves as Chief Research Scientist at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Muhimbili Centre, where he has led impactful research programs addressing priority public health challenges.

DR. JOYCE SAMWEL

Research&Innovation Officer

Dr. Joyce Samwel is a Medical Doctor and early-career researcher with experience in coordinating and implementing public health research and maternal and child health programs. She currently works at the Directorate of Research, Publication, and Innovation at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, where she serves as a liaison officer supporting research development, coordination of multi-institutional projects, and scientific publication processes.

Our Impact

AfyaConnect has made measurable contributions toward improving maternal and child health in
Tanzania through capacity building, research, and public health education initiatives.




 Enhanced Neonatal Care

Trained 25 midwives and nurses in neonatal resuscitation across six healthcare facilities in Kisarawe District, strengthening early newborn survival efforts.



Advancing Diagnostic Capacity

Three master trainers equipped with skills in point-of-care obstetric ultrasound scanning, enhancing timely and accurate pregnancy management.



Improving Emergency Response

Provided comprehensive training in emergency obstetric care to 24 healthcare providers from 11 facilities in Temeke District, improving readiness to handle life-threatening complications.


Reducing Maternal Mortality

Trained 30 healthcare providers including midwives, doctors, and nurses on the management of Obstetric hemorrhage, with 5 participants as master trainers through a parallel Training of Trainers (ToT) program across 11 facilities in Temeke District.

Work with us.

AfyaConnect Health Organisation is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of pregnant women and children under five years of age in Tanzania. We welcome partnerships with donors, government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and private sector stakeholders who share our vision for stronger, sustainable health systems.

Partners can collaborate with AfyaConnect through a range of opportunities, including:

Capacity Building and Training

Strengthening the skills of healthcare workers and community health volunteers through workshops, mentorship, and on-the-job training programs.

Public Health Education Campaigns

Co-designing and implementing community-focused health promotion activities that improve awareness and uptake of essential maternal and child health services.

Collaborative Research and Evidence Generation

Partnering on operational research, data collection, and evaluation initiatives that inform policy and program design.

Technical Assistance and Policy Support

Providing expertise to enhance program quality, health system strengthening, and compliance with national and international health standards.

two people shaking hands over a wooden table