Yas extends Tumaini campaign to Ifakara, boosts maternity care

MOROGORO: Yas Tanzania has extended its Tumaini Campaign to Ifakara, donating medical equipment and maternity supplies to Kibaoni Health Centre to help strengthen services for expectant mothers.

The donation makes Kibaoni the second health facility to benefit from the campaign, which was launched in Dar es Salaam last week through contributions pooled by Yas employees to support healthcare services in communities.

The donated items include delivery beds, wheelchairs, bedsheets, khangas, aprons and maternity kits containing essential supplies used during childbirth.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Kilombero District Commissioner, Advocate Dustan Kyobya, commended collaboration between the government and private sector, saying such partnerships were important in addressing healthcare challenges facing communities.

He said support from stakeholders was particularly valuable in strengthening maternal and child healthcare, where adequate equipment and a conducive environment are essential for safe deliveries.

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Yas Southern Zone Regional Director Joseph Mutalemwa said the Tumaini Campaign was initiated by employees who decided to pool their resources to make a direct contribution to communities.

“We recognise that welcoming a child into the world is a moment of joy and hope for every family, but it is also a time when a mother needs quality care, close attention and a safe environment in which to give birth,” he said.

“This donation is part of our contribution towards supporting maternity services here at Kibaoni.”

Mutalemwa said Yas’ role extended beyond providing telecommunications services, noting that the company also sought to contribute to initiatives that improve the well-being of communities it serves.

“Just as we pride ourselves on being a network of high standards, we believe those standards should not end with the telecommunications services we provide. They should also be reflected in how we fulfil our responsibility to the communities we serve,” he said.

He said the Tumaini Campaign would continue expanding to other districts and regions, following its initial rollout in Dar es Salaam and subsequent extension to Ifakara.

Ifakara Town Council Director Pili Kitwana said the donation would help address shortages of essential equipment at Kibaoni Health Centre and strengthen its capacity to provide maternity services.

She said the health centre serves a large population, placing increasing pressure on available medical equipment and infrastructure.

“The additional equipment will help improve the facility’s capacity to serve expectant mothers and women coming here for delivery,” she said.

Residents who attended the handover welcomed the initiative, saying improved equipment would contribute to a more conducive environment for mothers seeking maternity care.

Kibaoni Ward Councillor Rashidi Namtuka said the support was particularly important given the demand for services at the facility, adding that continued collaboration between the public and private sectors could help address gaps in local healthcare provision.