Maternal health project set for wider expansion

DODOMA: DODOMA is seeking to expand a maternal and child healthcare programme to more districts after a five-year project in Kongwa and Mpwapwa recorded positive results in improving health services and efforts to reduce maternal and child deaths.

The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) has begun assessing the project, implemented between 2021 and 2026, with the findings expected to guide consideration of a second phase in other parts of the region.

A team from Korea-based RISTI met Dodoma Regional Medical Officer Dr Thomas Rutachunzibwa and health experts from the Regional Health Department yesterday to review the project’s implementation before visiting Kongwa and Mpwapwa to verify activities carried out on the ground.

“The results of the assessment will demonstrate the importance of the region getting a second phase of the project to be implemented in other districts of Dodoma, given the positive results recorded in Kongwa and Mpwapwa,” Dr Rutachunzibwa said.

He said the project had strengthened reproductive, maternal and child health services while helping the two districts move closer to the goal of reducing maternal and child deaths.

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“The project has contributed to improving maternal and child health services and achieving its intended objectives, particularly in efforts to reduce maternal and child deaths,” he said.

During the meeting, the RISTI team reviewed reports on activities implemented under the programme and held discussions with regional health officials before proceeding to the Ministry of Health for further consultations.

The team is expected to complete field verification in Kongwa and Mpwapwa before finalising its findings, which could influence future investment in maternal and child healthcare across the region.

Dr Rutachunzibwa said the exercise was also expected to strengthen cooperation between Dodoma Region and KOFIH while creating opportunities to attract additional health-sector development projects.

“The assessment is expected to strengthen cooperation between Dodoma Region and KOFIH and create opportunities for attracting additional development projects in the health sector,” he said.