ZANZIBAR-The First Lady of Zanzibar, Founder and Chairperson of the Board or Trustees of Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF) Mama Mariam Hussein Mwinyi pointed out that balanced diet deficiency endangers the lives of pregnant women and children.
Speaking during the Knowledge Management and Learning event on Quality Improvement of Integrated HIV, TB and Malaria Services in Antenatal and Postnatal Care (ANC and PNC) which was held at Golden Tulip Airport Hotel, Zanzibar on 8th October, 2024, Mama Mariam added that lack of quality nutrition is a foundation of high mother and child mortality rate in Zanzibar.
She praised the commitment initiated by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Takeda Pharmaceuticals and the Global Fund for supporting the government efforts towards improvement of Maternal and Newborn health care.
Mama Mariam called on all healthcare workers to be responsible in order to improve the future of citizens' health. She further informed that several measures have been taken to reduce high mortality rate in Zanzibar including regular screening, capacity building for staff, community engagement and holistic care.
The First Lady informed that ZMBF which was established in 2021 is highly committed in providing quality life for women, youth and children.
“ZMBF plays a significant role through Afya Bora and Maisha Bora Campaigns by offering support to women who have never attended clinic and giving them advice to behave accordingly.’’
Earlier, the Minister of Health Zanzibar, Hon. Ahmed Nassor Mazrui, declared that the project is a crucial tool for the improvement of mother and child health hence reduce to large extent the mortality rate especially for children under five years.
He said that the Ministry has invested in partnering with Universities like SUZA and LSTM and their achievements are being visible through the implementation of this project in Unguja and Pemba.
“Discussion and knowledge shared in meeting will be actively translated into action and our achievement will be sustainable,’’ he promised the participants of the meeting.
He also praised Mama Mariam Mwinyi for her serious commitment and support in improving the lives of mother and children through Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF).
Meanwhile, Hon. Mazrui handed over Kiswahili version of ANC/PNC training package to the Director of Reproductive Maternal and Child Health, Tanzania, Dr. Ahmad Makwani.
On the other hand, the Vice-Chancellor of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), Prof. Moh’d Makame Haji appreciated the engagement of the program that has brought a lot of benefits to the community through the health care project in Zanzibar. He commended the cooperation and collaboration that led to the success of this activity.
Explaining with regards to the event, Head of the Department International Public Health from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) Prof. Charles Ameh informed the implementation of the project mission is to ensure that mothers and babies have access to high quality integrated HIV, TB and malaria service during ANC/PNC.
“There is an increase of number of people attending health facility but we need to have more from the community across the country,’’he emphasised.
During the meeting, several awards were granted to the Best Master Trainer and Mentor for midwife and medical doctors, best quality improved impact Health facilities in Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria whereas institutions who were partnering in implementing this project including SUZA, University of Dodoma, Ministry of Health in Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar were also recognised.
The Quality Improvement of Integrated HIV, TB, and Malaria Services during Antenatal and Postnatal Care (ANC and PNC) project in Tanzania is a significant project aimed at enhancing maternal and child health.
Funded by the Global Fund and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, this project is implemented in Tanzania (Dodoma in Mainland and Zanzibar), Kenya, Togo and Nigeria, where the main implementer is the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) in collaboration with local partners for each country, For Tanzania, they collaborate with the University of Dodoma (UDOM) and the Tanzanian Ministry of Health (MoH).