Handover of Coordination Vehicle to Support Reproductive Health in Zanzibar
Zanzibar - Calls for reproductive health services for all underscored a ceremony today hosted by UNFPA Tanzania for the handover of a coordination vehicle donated to the Ministry of Health in Zanzibar to support reproductive health programming. The handover ceremony, attended by government representatives and development partners, was held at the Ministry of Health compound in Zanzibar.
“Reproductive health services are essential for maternal well being; these are life-saving services,” said Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, the Minister of Health in Zanzibar. “This vehicle will facilitate and forward our reproductive health programming efforts together with UNFPA.”
Programming achievements of the past year were shared, including the training of health care workers in sexual and reproductive health, and expanded availability and use of youth-friendly reproductive health services. Event speakers emphasized the importance of reproductive health and family planning services for all in order to prevent maternal and newborn deaths.
“Effective reproductive health programming requires coordination at all levels to drive forward the availability of quality services, especially for maternal health,” said Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Country Representative, United Republic of Tanzania. “This vehicle, handed over to Zanzibar Ministry of Health, will further accelerate efforts to provide quality reproductive health services, and contribute to the overall well-being of individuals, families, and communities.”
While the Ministry of Health in Zanzibar has recorded significant progress in reduction of maternal mortality, the problem persists. The number of women who died in health facilities due to childbirth complications was 53 in 2022, down from 70 deaths in 2021. The use of family planning, which is acknowledged in reducing maternal deaths, remains modest at 17.5 per cent, with high unmet need for family planning (24 per cent). Additional efforts are required to achieve the goal of zero preventable maternal deaths.
Through maternal health programming, UNFPA increases the capacity of government, civil society organizations and private institutions to deliver comprehensive maternal health services. Later this week, the handover of six additional coordination vehicles to UNFPA programming partners is planned in mainland Tanzania, including to the reproductive health sections of: the Ministry of Health; the Prime Minister’s Office (Youth, Labour, Employment and Disability); and Regional Administrations in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma. The vehicles were requested by implementing partners and procured by UNFPA with the aim to support reproductive health coordination, field monitoring and capacity development.
Media inquiry and for further information, please contact:
Warren Bright, UNFPA Tanzania Communications Analyst, Mobile: +255 764 43 44 45, Email: bwarren@unfpa.org
