By Alfred Zacharia
The government, in partnership with the Embassy of Denmark, has launched a digital tool designed to help midwives improve maternal and newborn care as part of broader efforts to reduce maternal deaths in the country.
Known as the Safe Delivery App, the tool provides midwives with evidence-based guidance on emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
The app is part of the “10 Million Safe Births Initiative”, which will be implemented between 2025 and 2027 in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
Speaking during the launch in Dar es Salaam, the Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at the Ministry of Health, Ziada Sellah, said the mobile-based platform allows midwives to access critical information both online and offline.
“This app enables midwives to learn from wherever they are, whether at work or home. Once downloaded, it can be used without internet access,” she said.
Midwives can also seek support through dedicated WhatsApp groups, where they can post challenges and receive immediate feedback from colleagues and doctors.”
To reach more frontline health workers, the Ministry is working with reproductive and child health coordinators across local government authorities, along with regional and council-level midwifery leaders, to build their capacity.
“All that’s needed is a smartphone. The app will guide the midwife on what steps to take during service delivery,” she added.
Dr Beatrice Mwilike, a senior midwife and president of the Tanzania Midwives Association (TAMA), said the association is taking a lead role in training midwives to use the app and linking them to additional learning resources.
“With support from UNFPA and the Maternity Foundation, we aim to reach all midwives and equip them with skills that improve care for mothers and newborns,” she said.
The Training Centre for International Health (TTCIH) is coordinating project implementation. Its director, Edward Amani, said the organisation will ensure activities are conducted on time and funding is properly managed.
“Our focus is to improve the delivery of quality and safe maternal care to ensure more mothers and babies survive,” he said.
Sunday Rwabagira, project coordinator at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said the initiative targets eight sub-Saharan African countries, with a goal of achieving 10 million safe births by 2030.
“The app introduces modern tools to support skilled midwives and increase access to accurate information, especially in underserved areas,” he said.
Jesper Kammersgaard, Denmark’s Ambassador to Tanzania, said the Danish government has contributed Sh11 billion to support the programme through the Maternity Foundation, in collaboration with UNFPA and the Ministry of Health.
“The three-year project will help accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality in line with Tanzania’s health goals and international development targets,” he said.
