Nation records notable feat in maternal health
TANZANIA: TANZANIA is celebrating a major victory in the fight against maternal mortality, with a staggering 80 per cent reduction in deaths since 2015.
The latest Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (TDHS-MIS) reveals that the maternal mortality ratio has plummeted from 530 to 104 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2015/2016 and 2022.
This remarkable progress places Tanzania on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of reducing global maternal mortality to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Kigoma Region has ties, improved emergency response systems and enhanced community awareness,” Dr Leba said.
One of the key interventions driving the success is the introduction of ambulance services to transport pregnant women in critical condition to the health facilities.
Dorcas Simon, a resident of Kigoma, shared her experience of how an ambulance saved her life and that of her baby during a complicated home delivery.
“I was terrified when I been at the forefront in the transformation, according to Dr Jesca Leba, the Kigoma Regional Medical Officer where maternal deaths have dropped dramatically from 119 to 26 per 100,000 live births between 2020 and 2024.
“This achievement is attributed to a combination of factors, including increased access to healthcare facilities, improved emergency response systems and enhanced community awareness,” Dr Leba said.
One of the key interventions driving the success is the introduction of ambulance services to transport pregnant women in critical condition to the health facilities.
Dorcas Simon, a resident of Kigoma, shared her experience of how an ambulance saved her life and that of her baby during a complicated home delivery.
“I was terrified when I started experiencing complications during childbirth at home,” said Simon.
“Thanks to the timely arrival of an ambulance, I was rushed to the hospital, I and my baby safely received the needed treatment.”
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The government, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners, has invested in procuring ambulances and providing training to healthcare workers on maternal health services in the region.
Additionally, 15 ultrasound machines have been distributed to the health facilities to enhance diagnostic capabilities.
Dr Leba expressed optimism about the future, stating that the region is on track to eliminate maternal deaths.
“With sustained efforts and the continued support of partners, we are confident that we can achieve our goal of zero maternal deaths,” she said.
Efforts to reduce maternal mortality are outlined in the third National Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) for 2021/22 – 2025/26.
One key objective is to lower the maternal mortality ratio from 220 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019/20 to 180 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2025/26. In general, the FYDP III describes the health sector as key to human development.
The sector includes infrastructure, professionals, medical equipment and supplies, reagents, medicines, curative and preventive care and health insurance.
Therefore, this plan seeks to strengthen health management systems, service availability and delivery.
FYDP III also prioritises the resolution of quality challenges in health service.
Key interventions include, to construct and rehabilitate inclusive health facilities, ensure availability of medicine, medical supplies, reagents, vaccine and pharmaceutical equipment, promote and increase scope, coverage of health insurance schemes as well as strengthen specialised and super-specialised services in all zonal, specialised and national referral hospitals.
Other interventions include to improve traditional health services/alternative medicines, to promote and support establishment of vaccines, medicines and medical equipment manufacturing industries, promote and support private sector investment in health commodity supply chain, design and establish proper logistics and storage of medical commodities, strengthen public health rapid response teams and improve Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Election Manifesto for 2020-2025 has also pledged to strengthen maternal and child health services and provide them free of charge to reduce maternal and child mortality.
This manifesto has played a crucial role in guiding the country’s health policies and interventions.
When tabling the 2024/2025 budget estimates, Minister for Health Ummy Mwalimu said the government’s heavy investment in reproductive health services was among the reasons for the maternal mortality rate’s decline.
“The government has strengthened maternal and child health services across healthcare facilities to eliminate preventable deaths related to childbirth.
These services include antenatal care, delivery care, postnatal care, and adolescent reproductive health services,” she was quoted as saying.
Ms Mwalimu said in July 2022 that the government established the Department of Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health to enhance oversight and delivery of critical services.
The 2022 TDHS reported that approximately 31 per cent of women in Tanzania use modern contraceptive methods, reflecting efforts to increase family planning education and services.
She further said healthcare facilities now deliver highquality antenatal services, including health education on danger signs, nutrition and nine basic tests: weight, blood pressure, blood group, haemoglobin levels, urine protein, malaria, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis.
