Tunduru health centres get solar power

Songea. For a long time, most parts of Tunduru District, Mtwara Region, have been experiencing an increase in the number of infant deaths due to poor maternal and child health care.

To mitigate the situation, the Anglican Church’s Diocese of Masasi has decided to intervene and find a solution to the problem through the All Mothers and Children Count (AMCC) project to save the lives of mothers and children.

In Tunduru, AMCC sought sponsorship from a Canadian organisation called Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) that decided to complement government’s efforts to address the situation.

So far, 12 public health facilities have been fitted with solar panels as 11 of them are in Tunduru District and one in Nanganga Ward, Masasi District.

To ensure sustainability and commitment to supporting government’s efforts in minimising maternal and child mortality rates, the AMCC project will spend Sh8.9 billion on 145,341 beneficiaries in Tunduru and Masasi Districts by 2020.

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The four-year project, which started in 2016 is coordinated by the Anglican Church, Masasi Diocese, with the focus on improvement of health facilities’ infrastructure and medical supplies, nutrition, accessibility of safe and clean water and raising awareness, among others.

AMCC Project Manager, Rev Linus Buriani, said their focus had been on rural areas, where the majority of people were in need of improved health services.

According to Rev Buriani, the health facilities that benefit from the solar power are Semeni, Mwenge, Makande, Kazamoyo, Naikula, Misechela, Mkowela, Mindu, Liwangula, Ngapa, Tinginya and Nanganga.

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“We are now focusing on constructing 25 wells in Tunduru and Masasi districts as Sh117.8 million has been set aside for the purpose,” he said.

He mentioned some of the challenges they were facing as including dilapidated infrastructure in health facilities, especially roofing. However, he called for joint efforts to achieve the goal.

Ha added that AMCC was impressed by residents, while the Tunduru regional authorities had been giving them all needed support to attain their goal.

As regards health facilities fitted with solar power panels, AMCC also donated beds and medicine to pregnant women.

“The communities have never let us down as they are available whenever needed, thus making it easier for the project to run smoothly as planned,” said Rev Linus.

However, he suggested that the government should find the means of establishing dispensaries in the areas to be covered by the project, but they had none, thus missing opportunities to save the lives of pregnant mothers and infants.

"We, at AMCC, are aware of the efforts made by Tunduru District Commissioner Juma Homera to improve health services as he has been ensuring that all villages are covered by the project,” said Rev Linus.

Besides the solar power system, delivery beds and medicine were provided to 29 health facilities of which, 28 are in Tunduru District.

Apart from thanking the benefactors, some of the interviewed residents expressed their gratitude to Rev Linus as the agony of giving birth in the dark, and when need arises using a torch, was over.

“During those trying moments, we were praying to give birth during the day as it was a challenge to deliver at night because health attendants had no option and some expectant mothers ended up losing their lives,” said Ms Maua Said, who was receiving service from Ligoma Health Centre.

For his part, Tunduru Acting District Medical Officer, Dr Bernard Muamanda, said the solar panels were a blessing as they helped them to provide services.

"We were in ill-equipped before, as maternal deaths were on the rise, and health officers were at the crossroads, especially at night as they had to use torches and when there were no batteries, it was a big challenge,” he said.

Tunduru District Commissioner Juma Homera said he was sure of keeping hold of health officers from leaving for greener pastures as working conditions had improved.

He said they had 14,200,000 bricks in the district, which would be used for constructing dispensaries and health centres in the areas where they had none, urging the residents to take care of the infrastructure for their own good.

Masasi Anglican Diocese Deputy Bishop Diglos Msigala expressed their commitment to working with the government to improve health, education, water and livestock sectors.