The United Nations hands over 12 ambulances for Dodoma region

The UNFPA Representative in Tanzania, Dr. Julitta Onabanjo today handed over 12 ambulances to the Minister for Health and Social Welfare Hon. Prof. David Mwakyusa. The ambulances will be distributed in Dodoma region for use by the respective health facilities.

“Last year during the handing over of 8 ambulances, we promised to donate more ambulances to the region. We promised and now we have delivered. Preventing Maternal, newborn and child and deaths ranks high on our list of priorities and I want to assure you that the UN is committed to work with other partners to strengthen the health care system, so it is able to effectively deliver high quality services to the people, especially mothers and children,” says Dr. Onabanjo.

When an obstetric emergency occurs, an ambulance could well make the difference between life and death. The donated ambulances are a contribution from the UN system through its Joint Programme for Reduction of Maternal and Newborn deaths. Under the management of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Joint Programme is being support by other participating UN agencies: UNICEF, WHO, WFP, UNESCO,ILO and national partners.

The UNFPA Representative commended the government on its continued commitment to improve the well being of its people including their right to health. ”Based on the newest UN global maternal mortality estimates released on Wednesday by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank, while maternal deaths have globally dropped by a third, there is no room for complacency”, say Dr. Onabanjo. Still everyday 1,000 women die from complications of pregnancies and child birth. If Tanzania is to meet its commitment of reducing maternal deaths from 578 per 100,000 to 175 per 100,000 by 2015, it would need to accelerate and scale up efforts particularly those related to family planning, emergency obstetric care and skilled attendance during delivery. The significant progress made in the reduction of infant and under five mortality needs to also take place for mothers and newborns.”

It is positive news that maternal deaths are declining and shows that concerted, coordinated and renewed commitments indeed pays off, says Dr. Onabanjo. “The new estimates brings renewed hope and I am optimistic that efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths including those related to HIV and AIDS will be on an even faster track between now and 2015. The UNFPA Representative further encouraged the government to put women and children’s health at the heart of its development efforts.

The UN system through its One UN programme will continue to give support to regions like Dodoma to: promote effective referral systems to manage complicated pregnancies and deliveries and appropriate equipments, supplies and skilled health providers, to ensure every child birth is safe, and leads to a healthy mother and newborn child.