In the heart of Kasulu Town, Kigoma region, a quiet transformation is unfolding, led by Janeth Nashon Jackson, a dedicated nurse at the Murufiti Dispensary. With her unwavering commitment to the youth, Janeth has transformed the dispensary into a sanctuary for young people, providing life-changing healthcare services that have significantly impacted the community. 

Murufiti Dispensary, a government-owned healthcare facility, serves the residents of Murufiti Village and nearby Kigondo Village. It offers outpatient (OPD), HIV and AIDS Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC), and obstetric services, assisting around 400-500 people monthly. Every Saturday, the Murufiti Dispensary becomes a hub of activity as Janeth hosts Weekend Youth Clinics.

Young people flock to this health facility, not just for medical care but also for a sense of belonging. These clinics are more than just healthcare events; they are vibrant gatherings where youth engage in sports, watch movies, and participate in educational workshops tailored to their unique needs. Here, Janeth ensures that adolescents feel comfortable and valued, empowering them to seek the care they deserve. Janeth has benefitted from training by UNFPA on the provision of adolescent and youth-friendly SRHR/HIV and GBV services with support from Sweden, through the 2Gether4SRHR initiative, which champions sexual and reproductive health and rights in Tanzania.

From 2021 to 2023, Murufuti Village has seen notable advancements in family planning and adolescent reproductive health, thanks to transformative efforts led by individuals like Janeth. The number of new acceptors of modern contraception increased by 28%, rising from 1,480 to 1,894, while family planning uptake among adolescents aged 15-19 grew by 13.8%, from 254 to 289. Condom uptake also surged from 17 to 119, and adolescent deliveries dropped dramatically by 65.4%, from 78 in 2021 to 27 in 2023. Janeth's initiatives at Murufiti Dispensary, where she serves around 60 young people each month—45% female and 55% male—have contributed to this reduction in teenage pregnancies.

The  programmes have empowered girls to pursue education beyond early motherhood and encouraged them to report and seek support after experiencing gender-based violence (GBV). Through comprehensive education on family planning, HIV, and GBV prevention, Janeth’s proactive approach has increased condom use and fostered greater reproductive health awareness and mutual respect among youth.

Janeth’s impactful work contributes  to the goals of the "2gether 4SRHR" initiative. Through her innovative strategies, including peer education and the creation of youth clubs, Janeth has been able to raise awareness and empower young people to access reproductive health services. This approach directly supports UNFPA's mission to provide comprehensive access to quality SRHR services, education, and resources.

The financial support from Sweden amplifies Janeth’s efforts, enabling her to reach more adolescents, young people and communities at large, reduce stigma, and create a supportive environment for youth to seek help, make informed health decisions, and overcome challenges such as unwanted pregnancies and gender-based violence. 

UNFPA focuses on raising awareness about SRHR, HIV/AIDS, GBV, and Menstrual Health and Hygiene, particularly among adolescents and youth and marginalized groups, to combat misinformation and stigma through initiative works to improve access to essential health services, including family planning, maternal health care, and STIs prevention, ensuring that everyone can make informed choices about their bodies. By fostering partnerships with the government and local organizations, UNFPA promotes community-led approaches that encourage participation and ownership in SRHR initiatives. Additionally, the programme advocates for the implementation of socially inclusive policies and guidelines that support SRHR at subnational levels, pushing for legislative frameworks that protect individuals' rights.

Despite her achievements, Janeth faces significant challenges. Cultural barriers often hinder access to vital reproductive health services, and misconceptions surrounding these issues persist. Limited resources, including transportation for youth with disabilities and the lack of simple incentives like snacks, further complicate her mission. Yet, Janeth remains undeterred. Her resilience shines through, as she continues to advocate for every young person in her community, ensuring they know they are valued and that their health matters.

Janeth Nashon Jackson’s unwavering dedication has made her a role model for future generations. The impact of her work at the Murufiti Dispensary is palpable, not only in the improved health outcomes of the adolescents and youth but also in the hope she instills in them. Her tireless efforts have earned her the title of a true community champion, and her story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for compassionate, inclusive and friendly healthcare to create lasting change.

Through Janeth’s leadership, Murufiti Dispensary stands as a testament to what is possible when healthcare providers go above and beyond to serve their communities. Her legacy of empowering youth and prioritizing their health will continue to inspire generations, reminding us all that one person's passion can light the way toward a brighter future for many.

“I’ve been coming to Murufiti Dispensary for the Weekend Youth Clinics. The services have really helped me understand family planning and reproductive health better. I used to be afraid to ask questions, but Nurse Janeth makes us feel comfortable and supported. Since joining as a peer educator for this health facility, I’ve seen how it’s helping others too, with fewer teenage pregnancies and better health for us young people. The clinic has become a safe place for me and my friends to learn and take care of our health." Mariam Yusuphu, Murufiti Dispensary, Kasulu (peer educator trained by UNFPA on provision of socially inclusive SRHR/HIV and GBV information through support from Sweden).

In Tanzania's Kigoma region, the "2gether 4SRHR" programme, a joint regional initiative funded by Sweden and implemented by UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS, and WHO, is making a profound impact on health and well-being. This collaborative programme integrates sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with maternal health, HIV prevention and GBV prevention and response services, focusing on empowering individuals and fostering sustainable health systems.

UNFPA: Scale up access to socially inclusive adolescents and youth friendly (AYF) information and health services

UNFPA contributes to advancing access to AYF information and services. In Kigoma UNFPA:

• Train youth serving and youth led networks representing on socially inclusive and gender responsive SRHR, FP, HIV and GBV prevention and response and referral mechanisms.
• Train Health Care Workers to provide socially inclusive and adolescents and youth friendly SRHR, HIV and GBV information and services.
• Disseminate SRHR/GBV and HIV prevention information using the elimika digital platform.

UNICEF: Advocating for scaling up of community referral systems

UNICEF contributes to scaling up the community-based referral system for adolescents for linkages to SRHR, FP, HIV and violence prevention and response services. In Kigoma, UNICEF:

• Strengthened the capacity of Community Health Workers, Health Care Workers, Women and Children Protection Committee members and peer educators on facilitating referrals for adolescent and young people from communities to health and social services.
• Conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation processes, coupled with a feedback mechanisms to enable continuous improvement based on community input and experiences to strengthen community linkages and referral pathways.

UNAIDS: Driving HIV Response through Community Led Monitoring

UNAIDS focuses on combating HIV/AIDS by capacity building of youth-led organisations on youth-led community monitoring. In Kigoma, UNAIDS:

• Train youth led organizations on how to identify SRHR and HIV service-related needs and deficits, how to interpret the data, develop action plans and monitor implementation of the suggested changes.
• Train peer monitors to collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data on HIV service delivery from both facility and community levels and establish rapid feedback loops with programme managers and health decision-makers systematically and routinely.

WHO: Scale up Human resource for maternal health

WHO brings technical expertise to strengthen health systems to improve maternal health services through capacity building of health care workers in intrapartum care, post partum family planning (PPFP) and Comprehensive Post abortion care (cPAC). In Kigoma, WHO:

• Trains health workers on intrapartum care, PPFP and cPAC to contribute to reduction in maternal and infant mortality.
• Develops guidelines and standards to ensure the delivery of evidence-based healthcare services focusing on maternal health.

Building a Better Future Together

The "2gether 4SRHR" programme exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing complex health challenges. By combining their expertise, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS and WHO are:

• Enhancing access to lifesaving SRHR/HIV and GBV prevention and response information and services.
• Empowering communities, adolescents and youth people and women with knowledge and resources to make safe and healthy reproductive choices.
• Promoting a culture of respect for rights and equality in healthcare delivery.

Together, these efforts are paving the way for a healthier and more empowered Kigoma, ensuring no one is left behind.

By working together, we can create a future where every individual in Tanzania has the knowledge and resources to make safe and healthy reproductive choices.

Media Inquiries:

Dr. Warren Bright

UNFPA Communications Analyst

United Republic of Tanzania

Mobile: +255 764 43 44 45

Email: bwarren@unfpa.org