Researcher profile

Neema Chami

Dr. Neema Passian Chami is a Tanzanian pediatrician, neonatologist, and an academician in Mwanza, Tanzania. She is the Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Weill Bugando School of Medicine, part of the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS). In this role, she directs the pediatric residency program in which future specialists are being trained. Additionally, she is a practicing paediatrician and neonatologist at Bugando Medical Centre, a major hospital in north-western Tanzania. Dr Chami earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, which is part of the University of Dar es Salaam. She completed her Master of Medicine (MMed) in Paediatrics at CUHAS. She also finished fellowship training in neonatology and holds an honorary lecturer position at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Dar es Salaam. Her clinical and research interests include neonatology, pediatric infectious diseases, severe anaemia, kidney problems in children, neural tube defects, congenital anomalies, and improving health systems in areas with limited resources. She has co-authored at least 20 peer-reviewed articles, which have been cited by different researchers thus contributing to studies on neonatal sepsis, anaemia outcomes, e-learning in pediatric acute care (PACE program), and guidelines for new-born care. She is instrumental in Tanzania’s first neonatology fellowship program and leads national clinical mentorship and curriculum development initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. In 2026, Dr. Chami received the Association of Pediatric Program Directors (APPD) Global Pediatric Educator Award. This award recognizes her significant contributions to effective and inclusive pediatric medical education in Africa. She is committed to improving child health through quality clinical care, innovative teaching, research, and capacity building in Tanzania and beyond.