By TBN Reporter, Arusha
Tanzania is ready to share its experience in improving access to maternal and newborn healthcare, reproductive health, nutrition and youth wellbeing, Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Mussa Azzan Zungu has said.
Hon. Zungu was speaking on 8 October 2026 at the opening of a forum on maternal and child health organised by the Tanzanian Government for delegates attending the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The meeting is taking place at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
He said the health and wellbeing of women, children and young people were essential to national development. Tanzania, he added, looked forward to sharing its experience and working with partners to turn political commitments into lasting results.
“Every preventable death, every unmet health need and every barrier to accessing care demands sustained attention and political action,” Hon. Zungu said.
He noted that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had prioritised reducing maternal deaths, child deaths and the number of unvaccinated children to zero. Through her role as African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, he said, the President was also encouraging action across the continent.
Hon Zungu said parliaments had a responsibility to pass laws, ensure adequate funding and oversee implementation so that resources reached frontline services and communities.
“Our priority must be equitable access to services, including maternal and newborn care, reproductive health, nutrition, and the health and wellbeing of young people,” he said.
“Through this network, we can learn from one another, strengthen parliamentary accountability and advance practical action in our countries.”
President Samia’s adviser on health, social welfare, women and children, Ms. Ummy Mwalimu, who represented the President, said Africa had made progress in reducing maternal deaths, but not enough.
Maternal deaths in African Union member states fell by 42 per cent between 2000 and 2023, she said. However, the continent still accounts for about 70 per cent of maternal deaths worldwide.
“At the current rate of progress, Africa will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing maternal deaths to 70 per 100,000 live births until around 2050,” Ms Mwalimu said.
Chairperson of the IPU African Geopolitical Group, Ali Kolotou Tchaïmi, said parliamentarians had a duty to ensure health commitments reached ordinary citizens.
He said lawmakers must pass legislation, approve budgets and hold governments to account, particularly in protecting people in vulnerable situations.
South African National Assembly Speaker Hon Angela Thokozile Didiza also called for stronger political leadership, noting that maternal deaths and gaps in childhood vaccination remained major public health challenges.
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Tanzania is ready to share its experience in improving access to maternal and newborn healthcare, reproductive health, nutrition and youth wellbeing, Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Mussa Azzan Zungu has said.
Hon. Zungu was speaking on 8 October 2026 at the opening of a forum on maternal and child health organised by the Tanzanian Government for delegates attending the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The meeting is taking place at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
He said the health and wellbeing of women, children and young people were essential to national development. Tanzania, he added, looked forward to sharing its experience and working with partners to turn political commitments into lasting results.
“Every preventable death, every unmet health need and every barrier to accessing care demands sustained attention and political action,” Hon. Zungu said.
He noted that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had prioritised reducing maternal deaths, child deaths and the number of unvaccinated children to zero. Through her role as African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, he said, the President was also encouraging action across the continent.
Hon Zungu said parliaments had a responsibility to pass laws, ensure adequate funding and oversee implementation so that resources reached frontline services and communities.
“Our priority must be equitable access to services, including maternal and newborn care, reproductive health, nutrition, and the health and wellbeing of young people,” he said.
“Through this network, we can learn from one another, strengthen parliamentary accountability and advance practical action in our countries.”
President Samia’s adviser on health, social welfare, women and children, Ms. Ummy Mwalimu, who represented the President, said Africa had made progress in reducing maternal deaths, but not enough.
Maternal deaths in African Union member states fell by 42 per cent between 2000 and 2023, she said. However, the continent still accounts for about 70 per cent of maternal deaths worldwide.
“At the current rate of progress, Africa will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing maternal deaths to 70 per 100,000 live births until around 2050,” Ms Mwalimu said.
Chairperson of the IPU African Geopolitical Group, Ali Kolotou Tchaïmi, said parliamentarians had a duty to ensure health commitments reached ordinary citizens.
He said lawmakers must pass legislation, approve budgets and hold governments to account, particularly in protecting people in vulnerable situations.
South African National Assembly Speaker Hon Angela Thokozile Didiza also called for stronger political leadership, noting that maternal deaths and gaps in childhood vaccination remained major public health challenges.
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Hii ni Blog ya Watanzania popote walipo duniani kwa ajili ya kuhabarisha, kutoa/kupokea taarifa na kuelimisha mambo yote yaliyo chanya kwa Taifa letu. Tafadhali sana unapotoa maoni usichafue hali ya hewa wala usijeruhi hisia za mtu/watu. Kuwa mstaarabu...