Dr. Augustine Massawe
Dr. Augustine Massawe was a highly respected Tanzanian pediatrician and neonatologist
known for his pioneering work in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission in Tanzania.
He had a distinguished career treating children since the early 1980s and was also an
academic affiliated with Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, where he made
significant contributions to pediatric and neonatal health through numerous peer-reviewed
journal articles and books.


In addition to his public sector work, Dr. Massawe was the founder of Furaha Hospital, a
facility established to provide high-quality, compassionate healthcare services to children
and families. Through Furaha Hospital, he sought to extend his vision of accessible and
excellence-driven care, creating a space where patient-centered pediatric and maternal
services could flourish outside of the tertiary hospital setting. The hospital stands today as a
living testament to his commitment to child health, innovation in care delivery, and
community service.


Despite retiring about 10 years before his death, Dr. Massawe continued to serve at
Muhimbili National Hospital and teach medical students due to his unwavering dedication
to child health. He was widely recognized and beloved in Dar es Salaam for his clinical
expertise and deep commitment to maternal and child health.
Dr. Massawe passed away on August 13, 2021, after a period of illness related to respiratory
problems. His death was considered a significant loss to the maternal and child health
community in Tanzania.


Dr. Augustine Massawe’s main contributions to pediatric health in Tanzania include:

  • Pioneering prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Tanzania, significantly
    impacting pediatric HIV care and reducing new infections in newborns.
  • Leadership in neonatal and pediatric care, particularly focusing on improving care for
    preterm infants and critically ill children, as reflected in his research and clinical work at
    Muhimbili National Hospital and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences.
  • Founding Furaha Hospital to advance accessible, high-quality care for children and
    mothers within a dedicated private setting.
  • Authorship of numerous academic publications advancing knowledge on neonatal care
    and childhood injuries, contributing to evidence-based pediatric practice in Tanzania.
  • Advocacy and mentorship in pediatric health, including training medical students and
    health professionals, which helped strengthen Tanzania’s pediatric healthcare workforce.
  • Engagement in quality improvement initiatives in pediatric acute care units, helping to
    raise standards of emergency and critical care for children in tertiary hospitals.
  • Support for integrated pediatric HIV services, including efforts aligned with national and
    international programs like WHO and PEPFAR to improve pediatric HIV treatment and care
    outcomes.

Overall, Dr. Massawe was recognized as a champion for newborn and children’s health,
leaving a lasting legacy in maternal and child health in Tanzania—one that continues
through the mission and services of Furaha Hospital.