TANZANIA—Amref Health Africa in Tanzania has embarked on a campaign to raise US$0.5 million to help improve maternal healthcare on the Island of Zanzibar.
The ‘Support Medical Equipment and Supplies for Safe Delivery’ campaign will bring Amref Health Africa (Tanzania) and the Zanzibar Ministry of Health.
The partnership also announced the ‘Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging 2023 (Run-Walk-Jog) event to take place in Zanzibar on August 26th this year.
The Wogging marathon will be graced by the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, His Excellency, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
The event is expected to be graced by President Hussein Mwinyi and hopefully will raise half a million dollars in three consecutive years (2022-24) to improve safe delivery and maternal health while reducing maternal and child mortality in the health facilities to be identified in Zanzibar.
Announcing the ‘Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging 2023,’ Zanzibar’s Minister for Health, Mr. Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, appreciated the efforts by Amref Health Africa and its stakeholders through the Ministry of Health.
Mazrui recounted that for the success recorded in the previous event which mobilized and brought together many public institutions, the private sector, business companies, various sponsors, and individuals who contributed to the initiative.
In his speech, Minister Mazrui recognized all stakeholders who contributed during the 2022 event whereby medical equipment worth US$2,000 was received and delivered to the targeted health facilities.
“More equipment worth US$100,000 are in the procurement process and will be handed over in the next round,” Mazrui said.
The health minister noted, “If we achieve the set target of funds, this initiative will benefit a total of 28 health centers through medical equipment that will be purchased in phases.”
He also added that the identified 28 health centers are approximately 40.4% of all health centers which are providing reproductive services here in Zanzibar.
Mazrui also called upon all Tanzanians, woggers, individuals, and diasporas to continue supporting in cash or kind and participate in the upcoming Wogging in Zanzibar.
On her part, Country Director for Amref Tanzania, Dr Florence Temu said the Uzazi ni Maisha was officially launched in July 2022 by Zanzibar First Lady Mama Mariam Mwinyi.
Dr. Temu said, “Today we are formally officiating the Wogging 2023 as a continuation of the very same efforts geared towards mobilizing resources for saving lives and ensuring that, no woman will die while giving life to a newborn.”
Dr. Temu emphasized that Amref and partners will continue supporting government efforts to reduce the current medical equipment gap in the indicated facilities.
She added that the “Uzazi ni Maisha” Initiative Amref would continue running the program in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
The initiative has so far raised nearly US$0.25 million to support medical equipment and supplies for safe delivery.
Maternal and Child mortality ratios in Zanzibar
“It is unfortunate that Zanzibar is one of the developing countries with the highest rate of maternal and infant mortality, necessitating serious interventions,” Mazrui noted.
According to the Tanzania Bureau of Statistics, recent records showed a 134/100,000 mortality ratio while the infant rate is 28 per 1000 live births, disturbing figures in a population of 1.8 million.
“Some and perhaps most contributing reasons to these deaths can be avoided or controlled,” Mr. Mazrui emphasized.
Mazrui mentioned some of the challenges leading to maternal and infant mortality as insufficient skilled labor and medical equipment, too much time to wait for an ambulance or poor emergency services, and unplanned pregnancies.
He added that some are ignorant, myths, and misconceptions surrounding or rejecting family planning, a problem that led to the high birth rate of 3.7 percent.
However, Health Minister Mazrui said that despite the challenges in promoting family planning, the government with support from development partners had taken different measures including improving health facilities, to stop or minimize maternal and child mortality in the country.
The ministry and its partners are committed to improving the status quo of the healthcare system in Zanzibar by addressing maternal and newborn health disparities.
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