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Canada to help reduce child, maternal deaths
2007-11-27 15:11:18
By Pastory Nguvu
Tanzania is among African countries set to benefit from a Canadian-led programme whose thrust is on saving one Million Lives through the reduction of child and maternal mortality rates.
This was part of the message Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper had during his one-day official tour of the country yesterday.
In remarks in Dar es Salaam, he said the initiative was out to save over 500 of Africa`s poorest children every day once fully implemented.
``The Canadian-led Initiative to Save a Million Lives will deliver basic, cost-effective and life-saving health services to mothers and children in countries where the needs are greatest,`` explained Harper.
He said it was Canada`s plan to increase its assistance to Africa from $1.05bn in 2003/04 to double the amount in 2008/2009.
``Our goal is to lower the infection rate of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, increase peace and security as well as build stronger economic growth and better governance,`` he stated.
The Prime Minister, who was in Uganda for the just-ended three-day Commonwealth Summit, said Canada’s contribution of $105 million to the programme over a five-year period would train over 40,000 health workers and provide much-needed treatment for diseases like malaria, measles and malnutrition. The idea is to save a total of 200,000 lives in Africa.
Harper said his country and Tanzania have for long enjoyed strong, cordial relations, adding: ``I have just held talks with President Jakaya Kikwete on ways to further strengthen these links.
Canada admires Tanzania and sees it as a crucial player in efforts to maintain peace and stability internationally. The country has set an excellent example for other African countries.``
In his remarks, President Kikwete said their discussions dwelt on ways to improve and consolidate relations between the two countries.
``Our relations have a long history. We appreciate the Canadians` role in helping to resolve African crises.
It is very encouraging to see Canada playing a role in resolving the Burundi crisis by appointing a special envoy for that,`` noted the President.
He hailed Canada for its support and assistance to Tanzania`s military, education and health infrastructure as well as capacity building in general.
``The debt relief we have been receiving from Canada has helped us a lot in our poverty eradication strategies.
We have enjoyed strong support from Canada, particularly in connection with the mining industry in which it is the leading investor,`` added President Kikwete.
Responding to questions from journalists on the ongoing review of mining contracts in Tanzania, Prime Minister Harper said that the (Tanzanian) Government had made remarkable steps in the mining sector that stood to benefit both countries.
``I encourage the Government to build a stable environment for investors so that people from the two nations could benefit from the mining sector,`` he noted.
On whether mining companies were really giving Tanzanians a raw deal, President Kikwete said: ``The mining companies are not to blame but rather it is our own laws.
It is this that has made us decide to review mining laws in our country; we would like both investors and Tanzanian citizens to benefit from the mining sector,`` he said.
Prime Minister Harper jetted into the city`s Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport yesterday morning and was welcomed by hundreds of Dar es Salaam residents led by President Kikwete and other dignitaries, among them members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Tanzania.
The Prime Minister, who was later taken on a tour of Minazi Mirefu Primary School before heading for the State House, was due to leave later yesterday.
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