TANZANIA: IN a bid to enhance delivery of healthcare services, including immunisation, nongovernmental organisation JHPIEGO, through its Momentum Global Leadership (MCGL) programme, has donated four vehicles to support health services in four regions in the country.
The donation aims to improve accessibility and the efficiency of healthcare provision, particularly in rural and underserved communities in Kagera, Morogoro, Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions.
Speaking to the Sunday News, Dr Mary Rose Giattas, Director of the MCGL project, highlighted the successful partnership between JHPIEGO and the Tanzanian government. Since 2021, the two have collaborated to train health workers, increase childhood immunisation rates and promote healthy family and environmental behaviours.
“We have had a very positive experience working closely with the Tanzanian government through the Ministry of Health. This collaboration has been instrumental in delivering health services since the launch of the first phase of our project in 2021,” Dr Giattas said.
She further explained that the initial phase focused on improving health institutions across 22 regions, boosting childhood vaccination for children under five years old and implementing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls to prevent cervical cancer.
“We are grateful for the progress we have made in supporting many Tanzanians through this project. Recognising the critical need in some regions, we decided to provide these vehicles as a key resource to improve the speed and efficiency of health service delivery,” she added.
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According to Dr Giattas, the vehicles, valued between 110m/- and 129 m/-, will significantly contribute to overcoming various healthcare challenges, including the timely provision of immunisation services.
In response to the donation, Dr Grace Magembe, Deputy Permanent Health Secretary, expressed her gratitude. She praised the collaboration between JHPIEGO and the government, reassuring the public that the vehicles would be utilised effectively in the target regions.
“On behalf of the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government and the local government authorities in the regions benefiting from the MCGL project, we extend our thanks for this generous donation. We assure you that the vehicles will be put to good use in advancing health services,” Dr Magembe said.
Kagera Regional Medical Officer, Dr Samweli Lazier, whose region was one of the beneficiaries, emphasised the commitment to ensuring that the new vehicles are used effectively in health services.
“We are grateful for the donation of this vehicle. As the Kagera Region, we will ensure it is used for specialised health services, helping the community access essential healthcare promptly,” Dr Lazier said.
Jhpiego Tanzania remains dedicated to improving the health of women and families, focusing on areas such as maternal and child health and family planning.
