The government has called on development partners and stakeholders to strengthen their support in efforts to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths, as Tanzania continues to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services.
The appeal was made by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Seif Shekalaghe, on June 13, 2026, in Dar es Salaam while closing the Technical Working Group (TWG 5) meeting on reproductive, maternal and child health.
Dr. Shekalaghe said continued financial, technical and material support from partners remains vital in accelerating national efforts aimed at eliminating avoidable deaths among mothers and newborns.
He noted that despite progress made in the health sector, maternal and newborn mortality remains a serious challenge that requires sustained collaboration.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no woman dies while giving life and that every newborn has the best possible chance of survival.
He added that this goal depends on strong health systems, improved service delivery at all levels, and effective coordination between the government and its development partners.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the Ministry of Health will continue prioritizing evidence-based interventions and ensuring that recommendations from health experts are translated into practical policies and programmes that directly benefit citizens, especially in underserved and hard-to-reach areas.
The Technical Working Group meeting brought together health experts, implementing partners and stakeholders to review progress in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) interventions.
The discussions focused on identifying gaps in service delivery and agreeing on priority actions for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Participants noted that quarterly TWG meetings play an important role in strengthening coordination, improving accountability, and ensuring that health interventions are aligned with national priorities under the RMNCAH One Plan III Strategic Framework (2021/22–2025/26).
The framework provides guidance for reducing preventable deaths and improving the quality of maternal and child health services across the country.
Speaking during the meeting, the Director of Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ahmad Mohammed Makuwani, said the platform continues to bring together experts and development partners to assess progress and agree on priority interventions that can accelerate results.
He said strong collaboration between the government and its partners has been key in improving access to essential health services, including antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, and newborn health services.
He added that continued investment in these areas is essential for long-term improvements in maternal and child survival.
Dr. Makuwani further noted that the Ministry remains open to technical guidance and innovative ideas from stakeholders, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen health systems and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services across the country.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining close cooperation with development partners and experts to ensure that ongoing reforms deliver measurable impact.
It also pledged to ensure that lessons from technical discussions are integrated into national planning and implementation.
As Tanzania advances its health sector reforms, the focus remains on reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths and ensuring that every mother and child receives timely, quality, and life-saving care.
