DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has encouraged the private sector to invest in mother and child health so as to improve maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal care experience.
Maternal and newborn care has been among the top health priorities of the government as it strengthens the enabling national environment; improve the district health system to plan and monitor services.
Speaking during the handover of essential equipment that will be used during the delivery process at the Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital, the Kinondoni District Administrative Secretary (DAS), Ms Stella Msophe said the donation will help in reducing maternal death.
“Having enough equipment will reassure other mothers to attend here for their delivery process,” Ms Msophe said.
The equipment donated by the Garda World Security Service include six beds that can be adjusted, six wheelchairs, six fetoscopes that monitor the heart rate for babies, pulsimeters eight meters that measure oxygen circulation, a vital machine that monitors the behaviour of the patient and a cardiotocography.
The donated items worth 11 US dollars (about 27.72m/- ) will boost safe delivery of mothers. She said it is necessary to have potential and smart stakeholders who will help the government in making sure important equipment is available to hospitals, thus encouraging investors is vital.
She further challenged other stakeholders to support other areas in the hospital to enhance more quality service from the staff.
Garda World Managing Director, Goodluck Lukumay said “We are delighted to extend a helping hand to Mwananyamala Hospital by donating various items that will assist before, during and after delivery,” He said Mwananyamala Hospital is a beacon of hope for providing services to more than 2.2 million people, adding that on a daily basis the hospital registers 18 to 20 babies’ deliveries.
Mr Lukumay said lack of resources and adequate equipment has been an obstacle to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and their newborns.
He said those are not just equipment, they are instruments of change, hope and instruments which will ensure the health of mothers and children in this hospital are safe.
“We have not only provided equipment, but we are investing in the safety and quality of maternal services to reduce maternal deaths during pregnancy, delivery and after delivery,” he said.
The Mwananymala Medical Officer in Charge Dr Zavery Benela thanked the company and promised to use the equipment as they intended.
He said the hospital is in need of eight Cardiotocography, but they currently have one so through the donation it marks two.
“We will use these devices for the intended purposes, they will also be stored to ensure they last for a long time,” Dr Benela said.
