Tanzania has made progress in reducing maternal deaths, with increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, medical personnel and access to essential services contributing to improvements in maternal and child health, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Florence Samizi has said.
Dr Samizi said the progress was a result of government interventions aimed at strengthening maternal and child healthcare services and bringing essential services closer to communities.
She made the remarks on August 14, 2026, while representing Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa at a virtual meeting organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) under the theme, “The Unfinished Agenda: Confronting Africa’s Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Mortality Crisis.”
Speaking from Dodoma, Dr Samizi said the government had continued to invest in health facilities, skilled healthcare workers and essential services as part of efforts to ensure women and children receive timely and quality care.
She said improving geographical access to healthcare was another key area of focus, with the government working towards ensuring essential health services are available within a five-kilometre distance of communities.
“Political leadership under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has continued to drive improvements in the health sector, with particular emphasis on ensuring that mothers and children receive services on time and at the required standard,” Dr Samizi said.
She also highlighted the importance of women seeking antenatal care early, saying attending clinics soon after discovering pregnancy could help identify and manage potential health risks before they become serious.
Dr Samizi said continued efforts to encourage women to use maternal health services would remain critical to reducing preventable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth.
Meanwhile, President’s Adviser on Maternal, Newborn and Child Mortality Reduction Ummy Mwalimu said President Samia had maintained a strong focus on protecting the lives of mothers and children.
Ms Mwalimu said the President had repeatedly spoken about the challenges women face during childbirth and the risks confronting newborns, demonstrating the importance attached to maternal and child health.
She said the commitment had provided momentum for interventions aimed at ensuring mothers give birth safely and children survive and grow in good health.
The Africa CDC meeting brought together stakeholders to assess progress and challenges facing African countries in addressing maternal, newborn, child and adolescent mortality.
The discussions also highlighted the need for countries to accelerate efforts to tackle preventable deaths and strengthen health systems to ensure women and children have access to quality care when they need it.
