RC calls for joint efforts to end maternal mortality

KAGERA Regional Commissioner, Fatma Mwassa has called for concerted efforts among all Tanzanians to end maternal mortality.

Ms Mwassa explained that cooperation between regional authorities and stakeholders has enabled reduction in maternal mortality rate from 55 deaths in 2020 to 42 deaths in 2022.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines maternal death as death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes. Maternal mortality has remained a challenge in Tanzania.

The Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 2015-2016 shows that the problem has been increasing despite various strategies instituted to curb it.

According to TDHS, the ratio was 578 per 100,000 live births in 2004-2005 which went down slightly to 454 per 100,000 live births in 2010.

However, in TDHS-MIS 2015-2016, the ratio had again gone up to 556 per 100,000 live births, a trend which shows that strategies for reduction of maternal mortality have not worked. The leading causes of maternal death include obstetric haemorrhage, eclampsia, ruptured uterus and puerperal sepsis.

Also, delays in referral from another facility as well as delays in getting treatment and inadequate skills of providers. Thus, mentorship programmes on management of obstetric complications need to be instituted in order to reduce maternal deaths in the country, she said.