DAR ES SALAAM: THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, has outlined a three-year strategy to be led by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, in her capacity as the African Union Champion for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, aimed at helping African countries reduce and ultimately eliminate preventable maternal deaths.
Dr Shekalaghe said this in Dar es Salaam during the meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG 5) on Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health.
According to the Director of the Department of Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health from the Ministry of Health, Dr Ahmad Makuwani, the achievements that Tanzania has made in improving maternal, child and child health are the foundation that enables the country to fully participate in regional efforts to improve maternal and child health in Africa.
Dr Makuwani said that since Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan began leading the country, the government has continued to invest in reproductive, maternal and child health interventions based on the priorities set in the RMNCAH One Plan III (2021/22–2025/26).
He said these achievements have made Tanzania among the countries cited as a role model in the implementation of interventions aimed at reducing preventable maternal mortality.
Explaining the strategy, Dr Shekalaghe said Tanzania has prepared a concept paper that will be used as a guide to engage other African nations to learn from the successes that Tanzania has achieved despite having limited resources.
“After conducting an assessment of the environment of each country, we will prepare key indicators to monitor progress along with specific interventions that will be implemented. A monitoring and evaluation system will be put in place to ensure that the measures taken are bringing about the intended results,” he explained.
He said the main objective of the plan is to ensure that by the end of the three-year term of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, African Union member states will have made significant progress in improving reproductive health and reducing preventable maternal and child mortality.
“We believe this goal is achievable if countries continue to collaborate, learn from each other’s experiences and invest in effective interventions for maternal and child health,” said Dr Shekalaghe.