Zanzibar, Tanzania – 27th August 2022 – Amref Health Africa Tanzania, in partnership with the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) and the Ministry of Health of Zanzibar, has today conducted the ‘Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging Marathon’ at the Sheikh Amani Stadium in Zanzibar.
His Excellency, the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi was the guest of honor at the Wogging event (Walk-Jog-Run).
With the theme: “Changia Vifaa Tiba kwa Uzazi Salama” Kiswahili for “Support Medical Equipment and Supplies for Safe Delivery”, the trending wogging marathon focused on creating awareness about the existing gaps in the health sector and raising funds to support government initiatives in ensuring there is sufficient medical equipment and supplies for safe delivery in the identified health facilities in Zanzibar. The event, therefore, was geared towards engaging the public, corporate, private sectors, individuals, and other actors to donate and support the provision of medical equipment and supplies for safe delivery in the Isles.
The event brought together more than 4,000 participants that included top corporate officials, diplomats, development partners, government officials, the media, and individuals from the public who pledged and committed to supporting this initiative through a variety of donations.
The three years Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging Campaign target to collect over one billion Tanzania shillings includingbothin-kind,cashandpledgestosupportmedicalequipmentforsafedelivery. Thecampaign remains open for a period of three years with active engagement of various supporters until the actual target is realized.
The Guest of Horner for this event, His Excellency President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, appreciated Amref’s efforts to start this unique initiative and encourage more engagement from various actors to ensure they play their part in the provision of medical equipment and supplies for safe delivery in Zanzibar. He said this immense contribution is very critical and the support received will be directed toward saving the lives of mothers and newborns, hence reducing preventable maternal deaths in the country.
“Deaths resulting from labor-related complications directly impacting pregnant mothers and their newborns is still quite high in Zanzibar with an average mortality rate of 267 out of 100,000 live births affecting mothers; and, an average of 28 deaths per 1,000 babies born. Mother and child health service provision within our institutions is still a course for national concern which leads to these high mortality rates resulting from inadequate medical equipment, supplies, and personnel, “ said H.E. Mwinyi. “I have been informed that, with this campaign, ‘Uzazi ni Maisha’, a total of 28 health centers will get medical equipment which is equal to 40.5% of all centers that provide mother and child care here in the villages of Zanzibar. I encourage everyone to come out to support this noble course and bring success to our Zanzibar Government.”
H.E Dr. Mwinyi applauded NBC Bank for its readiness to partner with Amref Tanzania and support the significant initiative that complements the work of the government to reduce maternal and child mortality rates in Zanzibar.
The Zanzibar Minister for Health, Hon. Nassor Ahmed Mazrui reiterated that 28 health centers will directly benefit from the campaign and have the medical equipment delivered. “The support of the provision of medical equipment and supplies for safe delivery in Zanzibar is important and much needed. Our role as a government is to ensure that the medical equipment and supplies are kept up to date and used as intended, as it will help save the lives of Zanzibaris, in particular mothers and infants. Expressing assurances that the government would ensure the support reaches the targeted health centers in the Isles,” said Hon. Mazrui.
On her part, Dr. Florence Temu, the Country Director of Amref Health Africa Tanzania said, “Amref in partnership with NBC Bank and the Ministry of Health of Zanzibar have organized this campaign to save lives of mothers and children through support by essential medical equipment and supplies, particularly in five regions of Zanzibar where the maternal mortality rate is high. The regions are – Mjini Magharibi, North Unguja, South Unguja, South Pemba, and North Pemba. Through this campaign, Amref expects to collect funds in the next three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024. In 2022 alone, we target Tanzania Shillings 1 billion (USD 431,031).”
She further urged the general Tanzanian public to join the worthy cause and be part of saving the future generations, by providing their donation through the Vodacom lipa number 5529421 or the wogging donation portal which is https://wogging.amref.org/
The NBC Bank’s Managing Director, Theobald Sabi said, “the partnership between Amref and NBC is highly valued and the amount contributed by the bank is a continuation of the bank’s efforts to fulfill its corporate social responsibility (CSR) driven by its commitment to working with the community it serves in supporting the health sector, particularly citing maternal health as one of the core pillars of NBC Bank’s CSR policy.” He added that NBC Bank had been touched by the various challenges in health and education services in Zanzibar, noting that it works with the two governments to address the challenges facing the two sectors.
Special thanks from Amref Health Africa Tanzania to NBC Bank ;
M & D Chemical & Surgical Ltd, Nebula Healthcare Company Ltd, Medical Stores Department
ITV, NMB Bank, Dalberg Tanzania, Coconut FM, Deity Company Ltd, Radio One, Medical Team International, EA TV/ Radio, Zara Pharmaceuticals (Tz) Ltd, Serena Hotel, KCB Bank, Perfect Infotech International, Strategies Insurance, Multichoice Tz Ltd, and everyone else who made the Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging Marathon (Walk-Jog-Run) for 2022 a success. Amref Tanzania would like to take this special opportunity to invite individuals, development stakeholders, the private sector, corporate, and the public at large to continue supporting Uzazi Ni Maisha initiative.
Article first published at thenigerianvoice.com