In an effort to improve the health of mothers and newborns in Tanzania, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative Dr. Julitta Onabanjo today handed over a Toyota hard top and 21 motorcycle ambulances worth approximately 345 million Tshs to the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Lucy Nkya in Shinyanga.
The generous donation was made by the former UNFPA Executive Director, Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete as an acknowledgment and appreciation of his global efforts and leadership in the reduction of maternal and newborn deaths and disabilities.
Like a number of sub-Saharan countries Tanzania is still struggling to reach national and international development targets including MDG 5 to reduce maternal deaths by 75% by 2015 and ensure universal access to reproductive health and rights.
The Government of Tanzania has demonstrated strong leadership towards turning this situation and while congratulating the Ministry of Health for its key coordinating role among partners, Dr. Onabanjo especially commended President Kikwete for his dedication and commitment towards reduction of maternal, newborn and child death and for his current role as the co-chair of the high level Commission on Information and Accountability for Women’s and Children’s Health.
Each year in Tanzania over 8,000 women die in childbirth and from pregnancy-related causes. Shinyanga Region was chosen as the destination for the donated ambulances as this is one of the Regions challenged in its ability to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and children.
Maternal and child health indicators are slowly improving, but generally not fast enough. During her life time, a woman in Shinyanga gives birth to about 7 to 10 children. Of these 68 out of 1,000 will die before reaching their first birthday (2004/05 TDHS). Even though many women in Tanzania plan to deliver their children at a health facility, less than half of births take place at a health facility (2007/08 TDHS).
Lack of transportation and poor infrastructure are still major reasons for the delay in seeking medical assistance and referral in cases of emergencies. With an average distance of 30 km to reach a referral hospital in rural Tanzania, women can spend several days travelling to the nearest health facility (HBS2007).
Only 4% of dispensaries, 23% of health centres, and 55% of hospitals have any type of motorized vehicle for referral services. The lack of infrastructure and the difficult geographical condition in Shinyanga region are also a major challenge for expectant mothers when they need to access health care.
It is a fact that skilled attendance at all births, backed by emergency obstetric care when needed, and family planning to ensure every pregnancy is planned and well spaced, would reduce maternal deaths by about 75 percent.
Dr. Onabanjo reiterated this fact during the handing over of the ambulances, adding that “Access to quality health care must remain a basic human right for all Tanzanians, and more so for a woman when giving birth.” She called upon the government of Tanzania to mobilize and sustain resources for ensuring secure and timely access by pregnant mothers in rural communities to high quality delivery services including basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care.
“Through the provision of the ambulances UNFPA hopes to contribute in strengthening of the referral system in Shinyanga districts and ensure pregnant mothers receive the care they deserve., UNFPA recognizes that, to save women’s lives and achieve greater impact on maternal health, more broad based health programmes and collaborative efforts to address other socio-cultural and development challenges are indispensable.
Ambulances alone will not solve the problem, they are only one part of a broader set of health systems and societal challenges that need to be tackled to save the lives of women and newborns. In the context of the new UN Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP) 2011-2015, UNFPA is planning to expand its assistance in Shinyanga Region, in collaboration with local government authorities and other partners towards addressing these challenges.
The focus will be on promoting access to quality reproductive health and family planning services, supporting HIV prevention efforts, especially with a focus on young people, promoting gender equality, programming and implementing in a cultural and rights based manner and other development issues related to population dynamics and development.
Dr Onabanjo called upon the Government to translate political commitments into effective implementation of policies and programmes that prioritize maternal health. She also acknowledged the support of the country’s development partners in the support they are providing to the country and through the UN system towards attainment of this important MDG. With strong accountability by all partners to resources and results, progress for Tanzanian mothers and newborns is within reach”.
The generous donation was made by the former UNFPA Executive Director, Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete as an acknowledgment and appreciation of his global efforts and leadership in the reduction of maternal and newborn deaths and disabilities.
Like a number of sub-Saharan countries Tanzania is still struggling to reach national and international development targets including MDG 5 to reduce maternal deaths by 75% by 2015 and ensure universal access to reproductive health and rights.
The Government of Tanzania has demonstrated strong leadership towards turning this situation and while congratulating the Ministry of Health for its key coordinating role among partners, Dr. Onabanjo especially commended President Kikwete for his dedication and commitment towards reduction of maternal, newborn and child death and for his current role as the co-chair of the high level Commission on Information and Accountability for Women’s and Children’s Health.
Each year in Tanzania over 8,000 women die in childbirth and from pregnancy-related causes. Shinyanga Region was chosen as the destination for the donated ambulances as this is one of the Regions challenged in its ability to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and children.
Maternal and child health indicators are slowly improving, but generally not fast enough. During her life time, a woman in Shinyanga gives birth to about 7 to 10 children. Of these 68 out of 1,000 will die before reaching their first birthday (2004/05 TDHS). Even though many women in Tanzania plan to deliver their children at a health facility, less than half of births take place at a health facility (2007/08 TDHS).
Lack of transportation and poor infrastructure are still major reasons for the delay in seeking medical assistance and referral in cases of emergencies. With an average distance of 30 km to reach a referral hospital in rural Tanzania, women can spend several days travelling to the nearest health facility (HBS2007).
Only 4% of dispensaries, 23% of health centres, and 55% of hospitals have any type of motorized vehicle for referral services. The lack of infrastructure and the difficult geographical condition in Shinyanga region are also a major challenge for expectant mothers when they need to access health care.
It is a fact that skilled attendance at all births, backed by emergency obstetric care when needed, and family planning to ensure every pregnancy is planned and well spaced, would reduce maternal deaths by about 75 percent.
Dr. Onabanjo reiterated this fact during the handing over of the ambulances, adding that “Access to quality health care must remain a basic human right for all Tanzanians, and more so for a woman when giving birth.” She called upon the government of Tanzania to mobilize and sustain resources for ensuring secure and timely access by pregnant mothers in rural communities to high quality delivery services including basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care.
“Through the provision of the ambulances UNFPA hopes to contribute in strengthening of the referral system in Shinyanga districts and ensure pregnant mothers receive the care they deserve., UNFPA recognizes that, to save women’s lives and achieve greater impact on maternal health, more broad based health programmes and collaborative efforts to address other socio-cultural and development challenges are indispensable.
Ambulances alone will not solve the problem, they are only one part of a broader set of health systems and societal challenges that need to be tackled to save the lives of women and newborns. In the context of the new UN Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP) 2011-2015, UNFPA is planning to expand its assistance in Shinyanga Region, in collaboration with local government authorities and other partners towards addressing these challenges.
The focus will be on promoting access to quality reproductive health and family planning services, supporting HIV prevention efforts, especially with a focus on young people, promoting gender equality, programming and implementing in a cultural and rights based manner and other development issues related to population dynamics and development.
Dr Onabanjo called upon the Government to translate political commitments into effective implementation of policies and programmes that prioritize maternal health. She also acknowledged the support of the country’s development partners in the support they are providing to the country and through the UN system towards attainment of this important MDG. With strong accountability by all partners to resources and results, progress for Tanzanian mothers and newborns is within reach”.
No comments:
Post a Comment