ATE’s Female Future Programme cohort donates CPAP machines to support newborns

DAR ES SALAAM: THE women of the ‘Female Future Programme’ cohort 10 conducted by the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE), have donated some continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines to support newborns with breathing difficulties at Mbagala Rangi-Tatu Hospital (MRH).

The donated machines worth 18m/- are among the essential needs of the hospital, as they have always relied on those from the Temeke Regional Referral Hospital.

ATE’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Suzanne Ndomba-Doran said the initiative is part of the programme’s Corporate Social Responsibility commitment.

“Although the programme aims to prepare women for top decision-making positions, giving back to the community is also a key requirement of the course, which is why we are here today,” she said at the handover over the weekend.

The CPAP machine is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea, helping to keep airways open while sleeping and ensuring a steady supply of oxygen.

These machines can significantly improve sleep quality and reduce health risks such as heart disease and stroke.

Ms Ndomba added that the donated medical equipment will be distributed to four other hospitals besides MRH, including that of Sinza-Palestina, Kigamboni, Kivule and Chanika.

The Temeke Municipal Chief Medical Officer Dr Jonas Lulandala expressed his gratitude, stating that the equipment arrived at a crucial time and would greatly enhance efforts to address breathing difficulties in newborns.

“Previously, in the entire Temeke district, this type of medical equipment was only available at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital,” he explained.

The hospital delivers a significant number of babies daily. The hospital data shows that an average of 35 babies are born at MRH every day, while across the entire Temeke district, the number ranges between 90 and 100 births per day.

He highlighted on the on-going efforts to reduce infant mortality, revealing that the newborn deaths decreased to 659 at the end of last year from 858 registered in 2023.

Additionally, maternal deaths during pregnancy also dropped from 24 cases in 2023 to 11 cases last year.

Providing an overview of the hospital, the MRH’s Medical Officer in Charge Dr Ally Makori said that the facility currently serves between 1,000 and 1,200 patients daily, among them, 30 to 40 women give birth everyday while an average of seven to fourteen expectant mothers undergo surgical birth deliveries daily.

On her part, the Cohort 10 President Ms Adeline Mushi said that the donation will strengthen the hospital’s ability to care for newborns struggling with breathing difficulties.

“There are still many newborns facing breathing challenges immediately after birth.

“In an effort to help reduce this issue, we decided to start with the healthcare sector, as part of our commitment to giving back to the community—a core requirement of our programme,” she said.

The event was attended by several government officials, including the Temeke Councilor and the Mayor-Temeke Municipal Council Mr Abdallah Mtinika who was the guest of honor, representing the Temeke District Commissioner.