NGUDU: A woman from Kwimba District in Mwanza Region has narrated the painful experience of losing one of her premature twins due to the long distance required to access specialised health services.
Joyce Emmanuel James, a resident of National Street in Ngudu town, said she delivered twins prematurely at six months of pregnancy, each weighing 1.3 kilograms. However, the lack of neonatal care facilities at the nearby health centre forced the family to travel to Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza City—an ordeal that resulted in the death of one of the babies on the way.
Joyce shared her story at her home during a visit by several leaders, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative in Tanzania, Dr. Alex Ntale Gasasira, accompanied by a team from Doris Mollel Foundation (DMF), the Kwimba District Commissioner, and other officials.
“I am a mother of six children. During this pregnancy, I was blessed with twins at six months.
Doctors told me the babies were positioned differently in the womb—one head down and the other feet down. I gave birth to Kulwa and Doto. Kulwa was stable, but Doto was in critical condition,” Joyce said.
She explained that due to the absence of neonatal intensive care services at the nearest health facility, doctors advised them to rush the babies to Bugando Medical Centre.
Unfortunately, one twin passed away before reaching the hospital. The surviving baby received treatment, gradually improved, gained weight to 1.5 kilograms, and was later discharged.
ALSO READ: Health, water, energy sectors herald Tanzanian excellence in social services
Now aged two years and several months, the surviving child is healthy, but Joyce said the cost of treatment left her family in severe financial distress.
“I used to run a small business, but I had to close it due to medical expenses. I am now burdened with unpaid taxes while also caring for my sick husband and mother-in-law,” she said.
Joyce expressed gratitude to the Doris Mollel Foundation, led by its Executive Director, Doris Mollel, for completing a modern neonatal care building at Kwimba District Hospital. She said the facility will help reduce deaths caused by delays in accessing specialised care for premature babies.
“When health services are brought closer, costs decrease, and children’s lives are saved. We are truly grateful for this hospital,” she said.
Dr. Gasasira commended DMF for its major contribution to improving maternal and child health services, noting that the project will save many lives of premature newborns.
Meanwhile, the Kwimba District Commissioner Ng’wilabuzu Ludigija said the new neonatal facility marks a significant step toward reducing infant mortality in Kwimba and neighbouring councils.
“As the government’s chief representative in the district, I am satisfied with the implementation of this project. I believe it will be a lifesaver for children in Kwimba and five surrounding local authorities,” he said, also praising development partners and Samia Suluhu Hassan for creating an enabling environment for cooperation between the Government and development stakeholders.