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Lack of MCH services cited as big drawback
2007-03-25 10:09:36
By Correspondent Nasser Kigwangallah
Lack of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services, particularly in rural areas, has been described as an obstacle in the reduction of child morbidity and mortality in the country.
Sophia Simba, the Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children made the revelations when she was addressing a one-day Orientation Meeting on Maternal, Neonatal and Infant Health in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
The meeting, organised by Medical Women Association of Tanzania (MEWATA), was aimed at highlighting the importance of doctors in performing their duties so that the death toll on pregnant mothers and newly born babies could be reduced.
The minister reminded MEWATA members that their role in reducing maternal mortality from 578 deaths to 265 annually was paramount and the government recognises their role.
``We want you to advise the government on complications during pregnancy, delivery or postpartum period so that remedial steps could be taken on time to address them,`` the Minister noted.
She said if these complications developed and are not adequately or not addressed at all, there is danger whereby death could occur.
Earlier, addressing participants, Marina Njelekela, the MEWATA Chairperson said the meeting of members has been called to refresh knowledge on current maternal, neonatal and infant health in the country.
``We want to reach a consensus on potential role MEWATA could play in reducing maternal, child morbidity and mortality in the country,`` she said.
She told participants that their aim is to develop a draft plan of action with a time frame for the main activities that would be presented to the government for necessary action.
She said although we have made progress in improving child health in Tanzania, still child mortality and nutritional indicators are unacceptably high.
``There is a need for concerted efforts to make further progress
provided we all play a role for the health of our children,`` she said.
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