Tanzania’s maternal health care receives Sh27 billion grant from Japan

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian government has secured a grant of Japanese Yen 1.527 billion (equivalent to Sh27.3 billion) to finance a project aimed at improving medical equipment for enhanced maternal and child healthcare services.

The grant, facilitated through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on behalf of the Japanese government, will be executed in Tanzania by the Ministry of Health.

Speaking about the project, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary, Dr Natu Mwamba highlighted that the initiative will boost the capacity for examination, diagnosis, and treatment at seven regional referral hospitals.

“This project will significantly improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, particularly maternal and newborn care, by providing modern medical equipment,” Dr Mwamba said.

The targeted hospitals include Dodoma, Tumbi Hospital in Coast, Mount Meru, Arusha, Sekou Toure Hospital in Mwanza, Songea Hospital in Ruvuma, Maweni Hospital in Kigoma, and Lumumba Regional Hospital in Zanzibar.

Dr Mwamba noted that the project aligns with Tanzania's current Five-Year Development Plan, which seeks to address challenges in healthcare quality.

It also complements the government's ongoing efforts to improve access to quality healthcare services across the country.

“This support will play a crucial role in driving sustainable socio-economic development and improving the livelihoods of Tanzanians,” she added.

Japanese Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Yoichi Mikami, explained that the project aims to strengthen the diagnostic, testing, and treatment systems for maternal and child health services at the state level.

He acknowledged improvements in Tanzania’s maternal and infant mortality rates but highlighted the challenges still faced, particularly in ensuring timely and adequate testing and treatment during pregnancy, childbirth, and related complications.

“Despite improvements, there are still challenges in the timely provision of necessary health checks and treatments for maternal and child care,” Mr Mikami said.

He also noted Japan’s longstanding support for Tanzania’s healthcare sector through grassroots human security grant assistance and JICA technical cooperation projects, including the ongoing “Project for Strengthening Quality Maternal and New-born Care in Tanzania (FY2022-2027).”

This project focuses on improving maternal and child health service delivery by strengthening the healthcare system and enhancing the capacity of health staff.

Mr Mikami expressed confidence that the newly signed grant would contribute significantly to improving healthcare services in Tanzania, supporting the country’s goal of achieving universal health coverage.

JICA’s Chief Representative in Tanzania, Mr Hitoshi Ara, remarked on the agency’s continued support for Tanzania’s health sector, particularly in strengthening hospital management and healthcare service quality.

He acknowledged significant reductions in maternal mortality, from 760 per 100,000 live births in 2,000 to 238 in 2,020, along with improvements in infant and under-five mortality rates. However, he emphasised the need for further progress.

“One of the major challenges is insufficient provision of timely and appropriate examinations and treatments during antenatal care, childbirth, and complications,” Mr Ara said.

He stressed that although progress has been made in hospital management, healthcare facilities, equipment, and referral systems remain inadequate, necessitating further improvements in diagnostic systems and regional referral capabilities.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr Ismail Rumatila, assured that the government would ensure the successful implementation of the project.

He noted that the equipment, such as ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and digital mobile X-ray devices, would be installed in the seven regional referral hospitals, helping to enhance their referral capabilities and improve reproductive health services in the targeted regions.