CDC director of Programmes Waziri Nyoni
The government in collaboration with Tanzania Communication
and Development Centre (TCDC) has launched the second phase campaign dubbed:
‘Wazazi Nipendeni’ in efforts aimed at reducing maternal deaths.
A report by the ministry of Health and Social Welfare shows
that Tanzania will not meet the fourth target of the millennium development
goals (MGDs) which requires reduction of maternal deaths from 410 at every 100,
000 live births per year to 193.
The report associates the number of deaths to lack of
awareness on reproductive issues.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday during the launch of the
campaign, assistant director reproductive and child health section, Dr Georgina
Msemo said that phase II would involve more actors including nurses, community
voluntaries, men and artists.
She said in phase I that started in 2012 the target was to
educate and remind pregnant women through text messages on how they can prevent
their babies by attending clinic on time, vaccination and to sleep in treated
mosquito nets until the baby is born.
“We were able to reduce the deaths in small number during
phase one…we have realised that engaging women only is not enough, so we now
want to involve various groups including midwives, nurses, partners and
community volunteers,” she said.
Dr Msemo added in phase one the text message was before
delivery but now the educative messages will continue until a baby is one year
old.
Acting chief medical officer, Dr Mohammed Ally Mohammed
explained on why Tanzania failed to meet the MDGs4 citing lack of reproductive
awareness amongst parents.
He mentioned other challenges as lack of health centres
noting that the government was working to establish more health centres with
the capacity to carry out minor operations.
“Through text massages we educate many people,” he said
adding that mobile phone users would get the messages direct while others could
learn through radio programmes.
For his part, TCDC director of Programmes Waziri Nyoni said
on July 24 this year the campaign would also be launched in Temeke District at
Mwembe Yanga grounds whereby various musicians were expected to sensitise the
public.
He said that starting today a team of campaigners would run
the exercise by educating nurses at various health centres in Temeke District.
The education will also be given to expectant mothers who will attend the
clinic
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