Absa throws weight behind infant mortality

Absa Bank Tanzania yesterday contributed 30m/- to support Doris Mollel Foundation drive to reduce infant mortality in the country.

The Absa’s donation will specifically be going to support and ensure premature babies are growing up in good health.

The Ministry of Health latest data showed that 48 per cent of all infant mortality in the country is attributed to premature babies.

Absa Tanzania’s Marketing and Relations Officer, Mr Beda Biswalo said that purpose of the donation is to help the foundation improve conditions of the early-born babies, which has become one cause of infant mortality.

“These early babies need a conducive environment to grow better just like the normally born children, thus Absa as a social entity is extending the support to make sure that they (babies) grow better.

“As per the ministry’s report, these premature babies contribute to the total number of baby deaths in the country which is likely to continue growing if proper initiatives are not going to be implemented,” he said.

The lender is optimistic to lengthen the support to both social and economic challenges the public is facing, thus donating to save premature babies’surroundings, is one among other types of support.

“We are determined to continue extending our support to the foundation to ensure that this project is becoming sustainable and helpful,” he added.

The Foundation’s Executive Director, Ms Doris Mollel said the donation received from the bank will add more power to the foundation’s initiatives in an effort to make sure that the challenge is reduced to a bigger extent in the country.

Ms Mollel said the foundation has managed to collect various items, including medical facilities, desks, female towels, and liquefied petroleum gas cylinders worth 190m/-.

“Due to a number of various challenges facing premature babies including the high cost of incubators, the foundation is continuing to support these babies by facilitating a number of items to make sure that they live in comfortable environment,” Ms Mollel, who was also born premature, said.

She said medical facilities will be distributed to the hospitals in the two districts of Kibiti in the Coastal region and Buhingwe in the Kigoma region to support premature wellbeing.