Dar es Salaam. The Danish government through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has donated to the Dabalo Health Centre in Dodoma, a $2.3 million facility that aims to improve access to sexual and reproductive health in rural Tanzania and improve the safety of tens of thousands of newborns.
Medical equipment, an ambulance, and renovated spaces, including an operating theater and maternity ward, were handed over to the Chamwino District Council in Dodoma.
The contribution of equipment and renovated space at Dabalo Health Center enables the provision of comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care services.
Through the same effort, three dispensaries in Chamwino (Itiso, Manda, and Nhinhi) received donations of medical equipment to facilitate health services, including basic emergency obstetric and newborn care.
The medical equipment, with a total value of over $83,000, includes fetal heart monitors, oxygen concentrators, hospital beds, and tables specifically designed for operations, labor, and delivery.
As part of the Denmark-funded sexual and reproductive health project, training for over 600 health care workers has been provided over the past few years in the regions of Dodoma, Simiyu, and Zanzibar, covering topics in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.
Participants included nurse-midwives, clinical officers, and medical officers.
And, to further disseminate essential knowledge, multiple groups were prepared as mentors and trainers of trainers on sexual and reproductive health standards.
Officiating the event, Minister of the President's Office, Regional Administration, and Local Government (PORALG), Angellah Kairuki, said the project has come at the right time and will enhance the availability of sexual and reproductive health services.
"Over recent years, there have been increased percentages of deliveries assisted by skilled health attendants and increased percentages of women delivering in health facilities," she said.
UNFPA Country Representative, Mr. Mark Bryan, said that through the provision of reproductive health services and information, the Denmark-funded project has made a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of women, men, and adolescents.
"We recognize our joint commitment together with the Government of Tanzania to provide rights and choices for all, and we honor the dedication of health workers in delivering sexual and reproductive health services."
The ceremony was witnessed by the ambassador of Denmark, H.E., Ms. Mette Norgaard Balozi Dissing-Spandet; the Regional Commissioner of Dodoma, honorable Rosemary Staki Senyamule; and the Chamwino District Commissioner, honorable Gift Isaya Msuya.
The Denmark-funded project also established a youth-friendly facility for sexual and reproductive health services at Nhinhi dispensary in Chamwino district.
To complement the effort, 50 young people in Dodoma were trained on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence prevention and response.
These young people are now working as peer educators and have contributed to the project by reaching some 50,000 adolescents and young people with sexual and reproductive health information and services.
