Mr. Amin Kurji, ADKN Resident Representative for Tanzania, giving remarks at the Canada-Tanzania Health Partnership. Seated on the panel from Left to Right is Dr. Donan Mmbando Chief Medical Officer at the Tanzania Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Hon. Dr. Seif Rashid, Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Tanzania, Hon. Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development of Canada, and H.E. Alexandre Leveque, Canadian High Commissioner to Tanzania.(Photo ©AKDN/ Aly Zahur Ramji).
Hon. Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development of Canada giving his remarks at the Canada-Tanzania Health Partnership Initiative in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. From Left to Right at the Head panel is, Mr. Amin Kurji, AKDN Resident Representative, Tanzania, Dr. Donan Mmbando, Chief Medical Officer at the Tanzania Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Hon. Dr. Seif Rashid, Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Tanzania. (Photo ©AKDN/ Aly Zahur Ramji).
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Government of Tanzania, the High Commission of Canada to Tanzania, and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) co-hosted a roundtable discussion at the Serena Hotel entitled Engaging the Private Sector to Help Save Mothers and Children, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on February 4th, 2014. This high level forum was chaired by Dr. Seif Rashid, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Government of Tanzania and The Honourable Christian Paradis, the Government of Canada’s Minister of International Development.
The forum was opened by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Resident Representative, Amin Kurji, who noted in his remarks the importance of private sector activity in improving health outcomes, exemplified by the Aga Khan Hospital’s recent addition of a comprehensive oncology programme for the first time in Tanzania. The High Commissioner of Canada to Tanzania, Alexandre Lévêque, introduced the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Seif Rashid, and Minister Paradis and invited both ministers for introductory remarks.
Representatives from United Nations (UN) agencies, multilateral and bilateral agencies, private sector, and civil society organizations participated in the roundtable to reflect on the current status of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) in Tanzania and to discuss approaches to accelerate progress towards achieving Tanzania’s MNCH goals, with a particular focus on the role of private sector. Dr. Neema Rusibamayila, Director of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, presented an update on progress towards achieving Tanzania’s MNCH goals and findings from the recent mid-term review of Tanzania’s health sector. Dr. Rusibamayila also discussed some of the challenges related to improving maternal and newborn health, highlighting the gaps in accessing quality health services, particularly with respect to inadequate infrastructure, the availability of skilled health care providers and supplies, and inefficient referral systems. She also discussed inter-related topics that present challenges for the health system, such as low levels of education and cultural norms.
The reduction of maternal, newborn and child deaths is a high priority for Tanzania, given the high morbidity and mortality rates affecting women and young children over the past two decades. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with development partners, has been implementing essential maternal, newborn and child health interventions under the third Health Sector Strategic Plan (2009-2015) and the Road Map for Acceleration of Reduction of Maternal Newborn and Child Deaths (2008-2015). As a result of these efforts, Tanzania has achieved impressive gains in reducing infant mortality and improving maternal health. Between 1999 and 2009/10, child mortality (deaths among children under 5 years) has declined from 147 to 81 per 100,000 children, a reduction of 45%. Over the same time period, maternal mortality declined from 770 per 100,000 live births in 1990, to 454 per 100,000 live births in 2009/10, a decline of 41%. The Ministry of Health has been engaging the private sector and civil society organizations to accelerate progress on achieving MNCH targets set under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Panelists from the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), the Development Partners Group on Health, the Vodafone Foundation, Azam (Bakhresa Group) and the Association of Private Health Facilities and Hospitals in Tanzania responded to this challenge by sharing their perspectives on public-private partnerships, innovations in health, corporate social responsibility and the role of the private sector in promoting advances in maternal, newborn and child health. Opportunities explored by the panel included the implementation of eHealth approaches and mobile technology; setting standards for accreditation of health services; investment in human resource development for health; food fortification; and the engagement of private sector consortia to tackle system-wide challenges. A representative from Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) explained how eHealth connectivity between public and private health facilities has helped increase access to quality health services for women and children, particularly in remote areas. Scaling up e-health is a priority for the Government of Tanzania and an e-health strategy has been developed. Although resources have been earmarked, scaling up eHealth remains a challenge due to technological barriers, limited expertise, and limited financial resources. Azam (Bakhresa Group) shared their experiences with fortification of foods with basic micronutrients. This simple innovation, in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania, is an effective way to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Vodafone Foundation, under its corporate social responsibility activities, has been collaborating with Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT) using its mobile technology to reach out to patients and cover transportation costs for women with obstetric fistula to facilitate access to corrective surgery. The Association of Private Health Facilities in Tanzania (APHFTA) shared their progress in working with the Government to integrate public and private health services through capacity building, research and networking to strengthen health service and improve quality.
As part of the Muskoka Initiative on MNCH announced at the G8 summit in 2010, the Government of Canada has been supporting Tanzania and several other countries in working towards the attainment of MDGs 4 (to reduce child mortality) and 5 (to improve maternal health). The visit of Minister Paradis to Tanzania will also be an opportunity to discuss progress and challenges in achieving this common objective.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has been contributing to the health sector in East Africa for over fifty years through the combined efforts of the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), the Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). In close partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, AKDN has increased the number of highly skilled nurses, midwives and doctors; set standards for the quality of care and education for health professionals; introduced innovations such as e-health that enhance the scale and sustainability of health interventions; and contributed to the overall strengthening of the health system in Tanzania.
The Aga Khan Development Network is a group of private development agencies with individual mandates that address the social, economic and cultural dimensions of development. Active in 30 countries, AKDN agencies share a mission to improve living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender.
For more information on this event, please refer to Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/acdi-cida.nsf/eng/home