Amref Health Africa Tanzania Launches  “Uzazi Ni Maisha Wogging Campaign” in Zanzibar

Themed “Support Medical Equipment and Supplies for Safe Delivery”

Zanzibar, Tanzania – 12^th July 2022 – Amref Health Tanzania in partnership with the ministry of health today announces the launch of the Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging to be held in Zanzibar on the 27^th August 2022 at Sheikh Amani Stadium.

Amref Health Africa is seeking to create awareness of the gap within the health sector and raise funds to support government initiatives in the provision of medical equipment and supplies for safe delivery in Zanzibar with the guest of honour for this year’s campaign being His excellency President of Zanzibar Hussein Mwinyi.

According to the campaign launch guest of honour her excellency the first Lady of Zanzibar, “deaths resulting from labour and directly impacting pregnant mothers and their children is still quite high in Zanzibar with an estimated mortality of 267 deaths out of surviving 100,000 births affecting mothers and an average of 28 deaths out of every surviving 1,000 children. (HMIS 2017).  Mother and child health service provision within our institutions is still a course for national concern which lead to these high mortality rates resulting from inadequate medical equipment, supplies, and personnel. It is my belief that with this campaign we as a country will make huge strides and massively reduce this deficit. On behalf of all Zanzibar women and leaders, I congratulate Amref Health Africa and ask that all of us women and leaders alike, corporate class, and citizens come out to support this noble course and ensure it is an annual occurrence.”

The Minister for Health, Hon Nassor Ahmed Mazrui who was also present during the campaign launch noted that “ a total of 28  health institutions will directly benefit from this campaign and have medical equipment delivered as a result of proceeds from the campaign to bridge this gap which will account for a total of 40.5% of all health institutions offering child delivery services in Zanzibar.”

Dr. Florence Temu, Country Director of Amref Health Africa Tanzania said, “We at Amref have always endeavoured to support governments by bridging the available gaps in multiple key aspects covering women, children, adolescents, health works to mention but a few and are committed to continuing with the support into the future.” With regards to Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging, we shall continue to hold subsequent campaigns annually both in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar as we know the gap will not be fully bridged in one year’s campaign but we can achieve a massive milestone within three years of holding the campaign consistently, and this is our promise to the public and The government.

She further called upon well-wishers and the general Tanzanian public to join this worthy cause and be a part of saving our future generation, leaders, and national treasure as we start the campaign today by donating through the Vodacom lipa number 5529421 and for organizations to also join in sponsoring participants and also events as a whole.

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ABOUT AMREF HEALTH AFRICA TANZANIA

With the focus to reach and works with the most vulnerable African communities to achieve lasting health change, Amref Health Africa has been active in Tanzania since 1957 and in 1987 the country office was established in Dar es Salaam. Since then, Amref Health Africa in Tanzania has been among the major supporters of the Government of Tanzania’s health care initiatives particularly the Ministry of Health, and President Office Region Authority and Local Government. Amref has supported the development of a number of national health policies, strategies, and guidelines for equitable health service delivery.

Currently, Amref Health Africa in Tanzania implements 19 active projects across different regions in Tanzania. Amref’s projects are categorized into four main thematic areas: Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH); Disease Control and Prevention (DCP) program which comprises HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), Laboratory Services, Obstetric Fistula, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Capacity Building Program. Amref Health Africa’s approach has mainly been community-based services reaching needy communities whereby the majority are women (54.0%) and children (37.5%).

Amref Health Africa in Tanzania’s projects responds to national health priorities and sustainable development goals (SDGs) in addressing the needs of needy communities mostly women and children. We work to increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of health services by strengthening health systems, improving access to services, advocating stronger community health systems, and influencing health policies. With the 2018-2022 strategy, Amref Health Africa in Tanzania remains a strong supporter of the Universal Health Coverage Agenda.

Learn more about Amref Health Africa through www.amref.org

Press Contacts

Eliminatha Paschal; Head of Communication & Partnerships

Amref Health Africa in Tanzania

Email: Eliminatha.Paschal@amref.org