Government vows to sustain Kigoma feat

Dodoma. The government has vowed to sustain registered achievements when implementing a special project to improve maternal health in Kigoma.

The project, carried out jointly by EngenderHealth, Thamini Uhai, Global Health Advocacy and the ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children and other stakeholders, received financial assistance from the US-based Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Speaking during an open discussion here at the weekend, various stakeholders said the project has recorded many positive achievements, which should be sustained when it winds up in April next year.

According to a Bloomberg Philanthropies representative, Dr Godson Maro, apart from building new health centres closer to where the people live, a number of theatres have also been constructed in the centres.

He added that they have renovated maternity wards, procured equipment (medicine and supplies) and also conducted several training programmes.

“We built 18 staff houses and facilitated communication of staff members who were given mobile phones and airtime every month. The programme deployed ambulances and so far the number of pregnant women who deliver in health centres has risen to 68 per cent from 48 per cent,” he said.

In September last year, EngenderHealth Tanzania, through Bloomberg Philanthropies and Foundation H&B Agerup support, handed over 26 health facilities that they were either built and renovated in Kigoma region.

The total cost of the facilities stood at $1.34 million (about Sh3 billion).

According to the director of preventive services in the ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dr Leonard Subi, the government will ensure it sustains the positives from the project.

“Bloomberg’s approach has worked because they went to the people and came up with what the people actually wanted before implementing the project…..We will sustain the achievements,” he said.