MPANDA: THE Safe Pregnancy and Child Project has been officially launched in the Katavi Region to ensure that pregnant women and children receive quality health services.
Speaking during the introduction of the Project, which is being implemented under the THAMINI UHAI Organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Prime Minister’s Office – TALIMESI, in the Region, the Katavi Regional Commissioner, Mwanamvua Hoza Mrindoko, said that Universal Health Coverage will remove barriers to access to maternal and child health services by ensuring that essential services are available on time, equitably and without cost barriers to all citizens.
He said the Tanzanian government has continued to make great efforts in the health sector, where centers providing maternal and child health services have increased from 109 centers in 2020 to 137 centers in 2025, equivalent to an increase of 35 percent.
In addition, he has advised district leaders to fully supervise the implementation of this project to ensure that it is implemented effectively and achieves the intended goals.
He added that joint efforts are needed in the community to ensure that pregnant women arrive at the clinic early, as well as strengthening cooperation in building the capacity of health sector professionals.
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Similarly, Mrindoko said that community awareness should be increased to reduce the number of mothers giving birth at home.
For his part, the Representative from the Ministry of Health, Joachim Masunga, said it is important to adhere to government policies and guidelines in the implementation of the project to ensure that it benefits the citizens appropriately.
He also commended the leaders of the Regions and Councils for the cooperation they show in the implementation of maternal and child health interventions.
He explained that the government has continued to improve human resources in the health sector, a step that is in line with the instructions and efforts of Samia Suluhu Hassan to improve health services in the country.
And the Director of THAMINI UHAI, Banzi Msumi, said that since 2019, the Organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and RALGM has been implementing the construction of delivery wards, the renovation of maternity wards before and after delivery, as well as the renovation of the room for premature and low birth weight babies (KMC) at Mpanda Municipal Hospital.
“We have been implementing the Pregnancy Companion Project in eight centres located in all five councils of the Katavi Region.
He added that this project is in line with the honor received by President Samia Suluhu Hassan for being elected as the African Union (AU) Chairperson for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, where for a period of one year she will lead efforts to strengthen solidarity and joint actions among AU member states in improving reproductive health as well as maternal and child health in Africa.