Regional and district medical authorities nationwide are urged to provide accurate statistics on child mortality rates. – Hon. Ummy. Minister of Health Hon. Ummy Mwalimu has directed regional and district medical officers nationwide to furnish accurate data concerning the mortality rates of children below the age of five, infants under one year old, and newborns under 28 days old.
Regional and district medical authorities nationwide are urged to provide accurate statistics on child mortality rates. – Hon. Ummy
Minister Ummy conveyed these instructions on March 5, 2024, during the commencement of a training program for 110 instructors from 25 establishments offering Cesarean Section (CEMONC) services. These facilities collectively handle 86 percent of deliveries across 44 CEMONC centers in the Tanga region.
“We require comprehensive data for these specified age groups as well as statistics for expectant mothers. Our primary focus currently is on newborns, and we expect no excuses regarding the inevitability of infant deaths,” Minister Ummy emphasized.
She underscored the significance of providing continuous training opportunities for healthcare professionals, citing reports indicating that approximately 85 percent of maternal fatalities are linked to inadequate skills among certain healthcare providers.
Minister Ummy further stressed the necessity of empowering healthcare personnel to establish learning corners within healthcare facilities, specifically aimed at pregnant women and newborn care.
“It is also important to build the capacity of healthcare providers to establish skills learning corners in healthcare facilities for pregnant mothers and how to care for newborns,” said Minister Ummy.
Additionally, Minister Ummy encouraged the trainers to extend their expertise to their counterparts remaining at the facilities. The objective of the training initiative is to enhance the capabilities of maternal and child healthcare providers, particularly concerning newborn care.
