DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 8 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — The Tanzanian government has established Kangaroo Mother Care Units (KMC) at 245 hospitals as part of the country’s strategy to reduce the child mortality rate.
Kangaroo Mother Care, according to the WHO, involves skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding, which significantly improves the survival chances of premature or low-birthweight babies.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa revealed this on Saturday during the Maendeleo Bank 2024 Marathon Charity Race held in Dar es Salaam, emphasizing that the government continues to introduce the service at more health facilities nationwide.
“The government has been implementing various strategies specifically to ensure that the best services are available for newborns and expectant mothers. These measures have so far brought significant reforms in the country… there is now large-scale investment in healthcare, ensuring that health services, clinics, and hospitals at various levels are accessible,” the Premier added.
According to the Prime Minister, Tanzania aims to ensure that every hospital in the country has a Kangaroo Mother Care Unit as part of its goal to reduce infant mortality to the levels outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He applauded Maendeleo Bank and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) for complementing the government’s initiatives, noting that the marathon charity plays a vital role in saving the lives of premature children and other children in need.
“As you’ve heard, the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) has a high number of deaths among premature children, with this number ranging between 20 and 25 percent. These children are fellow human beings who deserve to live, and your contribution will save their lives, allowing them to contribute to the development of this country. This effort is very important,” he noted.
The Maendeleo Bank 2024 Marathon Charity Race was organized with the goal of raising more than 200m/- to support children facing various challenges in the country.
For his part, Assistant Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) Diocese of East and Coast, Chediel Lwiza, said the funds raised will help premature children at KCMC Hospital and support the expansion of the Mtoni Lutheran Diaconic Center.
According to the bishop, the land at Mtoni Lutheran Diaconic Center in Kwa Azizi Ally, Dar es Salaam, is limited, prompting the church to secure a 20-hectare plot of land in Kitopweni, Bagamoyo, for the construction of a modern center of international standards.
Meanwhile, acting Director of Maendeleo Bank, Peter Tarimo, noted that the fundraising event continues the bank’s efforts to support initiatives aimed at improving people’s lives.
In last year’s marathon, the bank raised a total of 120 million Tanzanian shillings, with 60m/- directed to KCMC Hospital for premature children and the remaining 60m/- allocated to children with mental disabilities and to the Diaconic Center. — NNN-DAILYNEWS