Dr. Saitore Laizer, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, has affirmed the government's ongoing commitment to investing in the health sector.
This includes ensuring that healthcare workers benefit from improved working conditions, alongside continuous upgrades to hospital, health center, and dispensary infrastructures.
Dr. Laizer made these remarks during the graduation ceremony of 257 young women who completed their Nursing and Midwifery education with support from the CAMFED organization. The event took place in Morogoro region.
He highlighted that these efforts are aimed at ensuring high-quality maternal healthcare services are accessible to all communities, particularly those in rural areas.
"The government is dedicated to providing healthcare workers with continuous training to enhance their skills. I urge you to seize training opportunities and collaborate with the government in improving healthcare services across the country," he said.
Dr. Laizer also praised CAMFED Tanzania for its instrumental role in empowering these young women to pursue education in Nursing and Midwifery, noting that their contribution is a beacon of hope for both current and future generations.
He further commended CAMFED for demonstrating the tangible results of its investment in girls' education.
The organization’s efforts have contributed to sustainable development in the healthcare sector and are playing a key role in fostering positive change.
"The government recognizes the contribution of CAMFED and other education stakeholders in ensuring that girls have equal access to education and are provided with supportive environments to help them achieve their dreams," Dr. Laizer added.
He stressed that the education these women received is a powerful catalyst for change, not only in their lives but also in their communities.
Nursing and Midwifery, he pointed out, are essential to the healthcare sector, directly impacting the well-being of mothers and children—areas that remain a government priority.
Dr. Laizer encouraged the graduates to be innovative and continue learning, ensuring that their services meet the highest professional standards and ethics.
He also urged them to become advocates for positive transformation in the healthcare sector.
Tukaeje Mzeru, the Nursing and Midwifery Sponsorship Coordinator and a CAMFED officer in Tanga Region, shared that CAMFED received funding in 2021 to support girls from vulnerable backgrounds pursuing nursing and midwifery studies. The four-year program was made available to countries like Tanzania and Ghana.
Mzeru explained that the primary objective of this initiative is to increase the number of healthcare workers, especially in rural areas, to improve access to healthcare and reduce maternal and child mortality during pregnancy and childbirth.
"In partnership with the Tanzanian government through the Ministry of Health, CAMFED agreed to collaborate with 20 health colleges, where this program will reach 280 girls across Tanzania. The sponsorship covers tuition fees, accommodation, food, learning materials, and transportation to ensure that these students can focus on their studies without financial obstacles," Mzeru said.
So far, 298 girls have been supported across 20 government health colleges. In addition to gaining valuable healthcare knowledge, the students have also received entrepreneurial and business training, equipping them with skills to either become self-employed or start businesses using their healthcare expertise.
The program has invested a total of 4,239,905,035.19 Tanzanian shillings in supporting 298 students. Of these, 257 have completed their exams and graduated, while 16 are continuing their studies after re-taking some modules due to various challenges such as pregnancy, career changes, long-term illnesses, family issues, and course delays.
CAMFED Director, Nasikiwa Duke, revealed that the organization’s goal is to sponsor 2,000 girls, emphasizing the importance of reaching marginalized communities, especially in critical health areas, as quickly as possible.
Nurse Janeth Charles, one of the graduates, expressed their readiness to serve the community, applying the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their education.
Dr. Laizer cautioned healthcare workers against accepting money for services rendered, urging them instead to focus on providing high-quality care to the public. He stressed that professionalism and ethics should always guide their work.
