Report reveals 80 percent drop in maternal deaths

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday unveiled a new report which indicated an 80 percent drop in maternal deaths, pushing Tanzania closer to achieving sustainable goals on the aspect.

Maternal mortality includes deaths of women during pregnancy, delivery, and within 42 days of delivery excluding deaths that were due to accidents or violence.

The 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey indicated a drop from 530 maternal deaths in every 100,000 live birth in 2015/16 to 104 in 2022 with President Hassan associating the result with improving access to health services.

“This is a remarkable achievement. The results encourage us that the efforts we are putting on improving health services are bringing about positive changes,” she said during the event attended by government officials, politicians and diplomats.

The progress comes at the time the government reports to have increased hospitals, medical equipment and other facilities across the country.

The survey indicates that 90 percent of women aged 15–49 with a live birth or stillbirth in the two years before the survey received antenatal care (ANC) from a skilled provider. Skilled providers include doctors, assistant medical officers (AMOs), clinical officers, assistant clinical officers, nurses/midwives/public health nurses B (PHNBs), assistant nurses, and maternal and child health (MCH) aides.

The report also indicates that 81 percent of live births are delivered in a health facility and the majority (75 percent) are delivered in a public sector facility.

However, 18 percent of all births are delivered at home. Overall, health facility deliveries have increased over the last three decades, from 52 percent to 81 percent, and home deliveries declined from 47 percent to 18 percent.

By region, the range of live births delivered in health facilities is from 56 percent in Manyara to more than 99 percent in both Dar es Salaam and Iringa.

The first target of Goal number three of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

“I believe we will achieve this goal in time,” said President Hassan, calling on healthcare providers, ministries, and development partners to redouble their efforts in improving reproductive and child health services in the country.

“Our trend is good in the health sector. Let’s all now join our efforts to accelerate the gains by delivering better services to our people,” she said.

President Hassan also handed 2016 ambulances and 153 others to different districts as part of improving delivery of the health services in the country.

"Our commitment to the health of our people is unwavering. These vehicles symbolize our dedication to bringing healthcare closer to every Tanzanian, regardless of their location," she added.

President Hassan acknowledged the historical healthcare disparities in the country, noting that "Decades ago, our healthcare services were far from equitable. But now, with these data, we are able to identify underserved populations, including people living with disabilities, women, and children in rural areas. Today, we're proud to have come a long way."

Minister for Health, Ummy Mwalimu, on her part echoed the sentiment, saying; "This initiative is a testament to our government's commitment to delivering healthcare services to the most vulnerable people in our society."

Childhood mortality rates declined

The survey highlighted significant progress, with the child mortality rate declining, with a commendable increase in the utilisation of maternal healthcare services. Infant and under-5 mortality rates in Tanzania for the five-year period before the survey are 33 and 43 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively.

The neonatal mortality rate is 24 deaths per 1,000 live births, higher than the target of 12 by 2030. The report indicates that about one in 23 children in Tanzania do not survive to their fifth birthday.

Since 1991/92, under-5 mortality has declined from 141 deaths per 1,000 live births to the current rate of 43 deaths per 1,000 live births.

"Preventing maternal diseases is now a national health priority," President Hassan said.

US Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Michael Battle, commended the joint efforts, saying; "Immediate attention and collaboration are paramount to saving the lives of pregnant women and their babies. We stand with Tanzania in this endeavor."

The "Jiongeze Tuwavushe Salama" campaign is at the forefront of this mission, striving to increase the number of safe deliveries.

In addition to the launch of the report, President Hassan also distributed 123 sets of equipment for the care of premature and underweight infants, 125 radiation machines, and 140 machines for the early treatment of cervical cancer symptoms.