afrol News, 11 October - The government of Tanzania's efforts to battle maternal mortality is on a sound footing. Dar-es-Salaam secured a US$ 59 million grant to finance a project that supports reduction of mortality rate among nursery pupils in large parts of Tanzania. The country has been among the few successful in reducing its maternal mortality rate so far.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $US 65.75 million. Of this amount, Funds of Development (FAD) - the concessional counter of the African Group of Bank of Development (BAD) - accounts for 90 percent of the cost while the government of Tanzania supplements the remaining 10 percent.

The loan is expected to curb the acceleration of maternal mortality and new-born mortality in the country's regions of Mara, Mtwara, Tabora and Zanzibar that have about over three million inhabitants, representing 12 percent of the whole country's population.

"The principal recipients of the project will be primarily the poor communities of," a statement by the African Development Bank said, adding that it will also entail the capacity building in the country's health sector.

"The capacities and competences of the personnel of health establishments of primary education level will be also reinforced thanks to a continuous programme of improvement of the capacities of primary health. The project will reinforce health and maternal services in the Island of Zanzibar," the ADB statement added.

Worried about its high maternity rate, Tanzania in the 1990s adopted a strategy based on raising the status of women, increasing health education and improving access to family planning. The private health sector also began to play an important role in maternity services.

Unlike many developing countries, Tanzania was able to decrease its maternal mortality rate as a result of its health education. A recent study revealed that more than half of the country's maternal deaths occur among women in their twenties.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Tweet

Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now

UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington. Read more

Central African Republic

Central African Republic falling apart afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians. Read more

Kenya

Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts. Read more

Cape Verde Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa. Read more

Egypt Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old. Read more