Kigoma - Kigoma region is among the five regions with the highest number of maternal deaths in the country. For the year 2022, the region reported 102 maternal deaths and 757 perinatal deaths. In the past three years maternal deaths fluctuated from 110 deaths in 2020, down to 75 in 2021 to 102 in 2022.

Loss of blood after childbirth (Postpartum hemorrhage) is the leading cause of maternal deaths, accounting for 35% (one in every three deaths) of all maternal deaths in the region. Two in every three maternal deaths are caused by eclampsia, raptured uterus, severe anemia, embolism and anesthetic complications.

Prompted by that situation the region in collaboration with WHO and other partners developed a three-year contingency plan (2021-2023) to avert maternal and newborn deaths. The plan calls, among other things, provision of diagnostic equipment to address late diagnosis of obstetric complications that may lead to bad obstetric outcomes.  

The World Health Organization (WHO), with financial support from the Norwegian Embassy donated 15 ultrasound machines that were immediately distributed to 15 health facilities in eight districts councils. Their availability will increase the access to an early ultrasound test before the gestation age of 24 weeks as per global recommendations in Kigoma. The 15 health facilities serve an estimated population of 291,505.

Receiving the ultrasounds at Kiganamo health centre in Kasulu Town Council, Kigoma on 23rd February 2023 the Regional Commissioner, Hon. Thobias Andengenye, thanked the WHO and the Norwegian Embassy for the donation of the machines through United Nations Kigoma Joint Program.

“I’m grateful to WHO and other stakeholders that support the implementation of the regional contingency plan to reduce the number of maternal and newborn deaths. With these 15 ultrasound machines we have made a significant towards making available 38 machines we need in the Region. Council health management teams to budget for regular maintenance. We need them always in good working condition to contribute to better outcomes of pregnancy to both mother and newborns,” said Hon. Andengenye.

“We must end the fluctuations of maternal deaths in Kigoma as we all know that our goal is that no woman should die while bringing a new life. The reduction of maternal deaths seen in 2021, show we are capable, but the increase observed in 2022, highlights that there are still gaps to be addressed,” said Dr. Zabulon Yoti, Acting WHO Representative in Tanzania.

Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mzee Nassoro, acting Assistant Director Reproductive and Maternal Health, said, “The machines have come at a right time, they help to accurately estimate expected delivery date, confirm pregnancy, detecting fetal anomalies and other fetus parameters that might end with bad pregnancy outcomes for mothers and newborns.”

The situation in Kigoma reflects findings in the global report on the trends in maternal mortality 2000-2022 published by the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) on 23 February. Concluding that in every two minutes a woman died in 2020 the report notes that roughly a third of women do not have four of a recommended eight antenatal checks or receive essential postnatal care, while some 270 million women lack access to modern family planning methods.

Speaking on behalf of the Norwegian embassy, Ms. Vivian Opsvik, Counsellor, Grant Management Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania reiterated the commitment of the government of Norway to continue supporting the Republic of Tanzania through the United Nations to bringing change and ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

“Norway is committed to the realization of the targets set under the SDG 3 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all age. Reducing maternal and newborn mortality is a high priority in Norwegian foreign and development policy,” she said.

WHO is working in Kigoma as part of UN’s Kigoma Joint Program (KJP) that now is in its second phase, starting this year and covers all six districts. Speaking at the handover ceremony, KJP Area Coordinator, Mr. Kanali Rankho, reiterated the Program’s commitment to uphold cooperation with the regional and district authorities to improve the social, economic welfare of people of Kigoma.

Different partners support Kigoma’s three-year contingency plan (2021-2023). Under the auspices of the United Nations Kigoma Joint Program, WHO has supported the region to train healthcare providers from 36 Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CemONC) and 28 Basic Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (BemONC) health facilities. In total 73 healthcare providers were trained (37 male and 36 females), from district hospitals, from health centers and high-volume dispensaries.

WHO had supported the training of 39 (16 females and 23 males) Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) and equipped them with skills to conduct mentorship and on-the-job training to counterparts. These trainers are now readily available to cascade newly acquired skills to sustain the improvement of the quality of Emergency Obstetric Essential Newborn Care.

The reduction of maternal and newborn deaths is a priority in the Tanzania’s Vision 2025, Health Sector Strategic Plan V 2022-2026, and National Plan for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent and Nutrition (One Plan III) 2022-2026.

Nationally, Tanzania has made significant improvements in reducing under-five and infant mortality, with slow reduction in newborns mortality, from 67 deaths to 24 deaths per 1000 live births in 2015 and 2022 respectively (TDHS 2022).  While maternal mortality remains still high at 556 deaths/100,000 live births (TDHS 2015/16).