KAMPENI YA mama Ye! NA RAIS JAKAYA KIKWETE, WANAVYOENDELEA KUHAKIKISHA MAMA NA WATOTO WACHANGA HAWAFI JWA UZEMBE

In this issue.... At Mama Ye!, we believe that improving access to information is the very foundation of accountability. We have been working hard to bring together resources that will be useful to those of you working to improve maternal and newborn health so that they can be accessed via one website. This is why we have refreshed our Mama Ye! evidence pages to make them more accessible. About the Mama Ye! website The Mama Ye! website functions as an important repository for evidence and information. In addition to country-specific evidence, our sites in Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and  Tanzania also act as channels for interactive communication with partners, supporters, the media, opinion-formers and decision-makers. They were built as a mechanism and platform for advocates to strengthen accountability. Our aim is to make basic evidence and essential core documents for planning, decision-making and advocacy easily accessible, quick to locate, well communicated, and packaged for both lay and expert audiences.  We welcome your thoughts on the site – we are always looking at ways to improve it. Is there an expert opinion you would like to add to our blog or some evidence you would like to share? Please do get in contact with us if you have any ideas.  The more people who have access to the evidence, the more likely we are to be able to make a difference to maternal and newborn survival. Please feel free to share this resource with your networks so that others can benefit. Recent Events in MNH Launch of the Sharpened One Plan and RMNCH Scorecard His Excellency, President Dr. JM Kikwete, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Steven Kebwe, local government leaders, representatives of UN agencies and partners, advocates and academic experts came together in Dar es Salaam for a landmark event for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) in Tanzania. The refocused country strategic roadmap for accelerated reduction of maternal and newborn deaths,  The Sharpened One Plan, was launched at this event (see section on Current Evidence). Also launched were: 1) the Tanzania RMNCH Scorecard, an innovative tool driven off the HMIS that has been developed to track progress and foster an environment of accountability at all levels; and 2) a Policy Brief: Women and Children First, that outlines the progress made, current equity and coverage gaps, where investment is most at need, who is being left behind, and the high-impact solutions to accelerate maternal and newborn survival before the end of 2015. Read more… Pre-Launch Meeting with Regional Leaderships The day before the launch of the Sharpened One Plan and RMNCH Scorecard regional administrations led by the regional commissioners from all regions of Tanzania came together for a pre-launch meeting to be familiarised with the national efforts for maternal and newborn survival, including presenting the evidence and the specific priorities. Representing an important initial activity to nurture mutual transparency and accountability, which is a key strategic area of the Sharpened One Plan, it is anticipated that regional leaderships will champion regional efforts to accelerate delivery of quality MNH services, in line with the national priorities. See more… White Ribbon Alliance Day - In Tanzania the 15 March is a special day to remember all our mothers who did not survive childbirth and to urge all of us to take action to prevent the needless deaths of thousands of others. This year's event was commemorated nationally in Rukwa region, with members of the White Ribbon Alliance Tanzania participating in a week full of activities held in Nkasi, Kalambo, and Sumbawanga Municipality, where hundreds of residents voluntarily donated blood for mothers and babies survival, culminating in a colourful national event held at Mtowisa community in Sumbawanga Rural where the Prime Minister was presented with thousands of signatures by residents from across Rukwa region urging the government to honour its promise to bring life-saving services closer to communities. See more.. MPs stand up for Safe Motherhood Only days after the Tanzanian President had launched the sharpened plan of action for accelerated reduction of maternal, newborn and child deaths in Tanzania, the White Ribbon Alliance Tanzania (WRATZ), in partnership with the Parliamentary Group of Safe Motherhood, conducted an advocacy meeting with honourable MPs in the Parliamentary Grounds in Dodoma and got them united across parties, for the survival of mothers. Read more.. International Day of the Midwife A special symposium, launch of a special comic for respectful care, a public march in Dar city centre, free services for the community and the presence of the First Lady Salma Kikwete to grace the occasion, are the highlights of this year's International Day of Midwives (May 5) coordinated by the Tanzania Registered Midwives Association (TAMA)... See photos and read about the respectful care comic World Blood Donor Day 2014 On 14th June Kigoma region hosted national celebrations of this year’s World Blood Donor Day, with a maternal theme of: ‘Safe Blood Saves Mothers Lives’. Residents across all of Kigoma’s districts - Buhigwe, Uvinza, Kakonko, Kibondo, Kasulu and Kigoma, turned out in unprecedented numbers to take action for maternal survival, with more than 3,000 blood units collected in only two weeks, more than half of the total blood units collected nationally in the same period. Mama Salma Kikwete graced the national day, with the resounding message that we can save the lives of thousands of mothers and children who die needlessly every year because of the chronic shortage of safe blood supplies across our health facilities. Read more… Current Evidence The Sharpened One Plan 2014-15 The plan, launched by the President of Tanzania in May-14, is the country strategic roadmap for accelerated reduction of maternal and newborn deaths. It has been formed from three key pieces of evidence - the Countdown to 2015 Country Case Study, and the Mid Term Reviews of the National Road Map Strategic Plan and the Health Sector Strategic Plan III. The Sharpened One Plan aims to: i) Address the unmet need for family planning; ii) Address the gaps for coverage and quality of care at birth; and iii) Continue the progress already achieved in child health. Launched at the same event was the: Tanzania RMNCH Scorecard, a tool developed to track progress and foster an environment of accountability at all levels. Women and Children First: Countdown to ending preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths in Tanzania This policy brief synthesises and summarises a number of important plans and analysis, including: i) The Countdown to 2015 Country Case Study analyses; ii) The MOHSW Mid Term reviews of The National Road Map Strategic Plan (The One Plan) 2008-2015, and iii) The Health Sector Strategic Plan III. It outlines the progress made, current equity and coverage gaps, where investment is most at need, who is being left behind, and the high-impact solutions to accelerate maternal and newborn survival before the end of 2015. The State of the World’s Midwifery 2014: Tanzania country brief This report describes the shortage of all health workers delivering care for women, mothers and babies in each of the 73 countries where progress in maternal and newborn survival is urgently needed. It describes whether these health workers are acceptable to the population, equitably distributed across the country, and educated, regulated and supported to provide high quality care. Lancet Every Newborn Series This series of articles, published in the Lancet, focuses on newborn babies, providing estimates of neonatal mortality and stillbirths and reporting on the slow progress in reducing newborn deaths. The series highlights the scale of under-reporting of newborn births and deaths, analyses data on newborn survival for 195 countries and outlines the interventions necessary to save lives. Maternal Mortality from 1990-2013 in Tanzania This profile of maternal mortality trends in Tanzania is published by United Nations agencies based on their latest estimates. The full report represents internationally comparable maternal mortality ratio (MMR) estimates, including trends from 1990 to 2013. Improving Newborn Survival in Southern Tanzania (INSIST) Trial This study, set up by Ifakara Health Institute, evaluates the impact and cost of an intervention seeking to both change behaviours at the community level, and also strengthen the local health system, to save the lives of newborn babies. Save the Children released a report and a call to Ending Newborn Deaths globally "This first day of a child's life is the most dangerous and too many mothers give birth alone on the floor of their home or in the bush without any life-saving help.  We hear horror stories of mothers walking for hours during labour to find trained help, all too often ending in tragedy." says Jasmine WhitBread, CEO of Save the Children. Mama Ye! Facts & Figures on the Link between Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Maternal & Newborn Health This Facts & Figures flyer highlights the latest evidence on the link between water, sanitation and hygiene and maternal and newborn health. Mama Ye! Factsheet on Tanzania's blood services Mama Ye! has produced this factsheet to summarise the evidence on Tanzania’s blood services, including how much blood is collected and how much is needed. Additionally, this infographic describes how many lives of mothers could be saved if there was access to safe blood. Success Stories Mothers, wherever they live Read birthing stories from around the wold in a book launched on March 8 to mark International Women's Day. In the book you will also find contributions from Rose Mlay of WRATZ and Chiku Lweno-Aboud of E4A Tanzania. Journalists from all zones in Tanzania join Mama Ye! It is about information sharing, accountability, reporting and generally bridging communication gaps among many groups in the Tanzanian public. UTPC members are excited to start the new cooperation. Read more As we say good bye to John Tuppa, we celebrate him and the legacy he left behind We reported about what a difference six months made in Mara. Sadly just after a milestone leadership meeting we lost a champion. But the foundation he helped to build stands strong. He was recognised and received an award at the launch of the country's Sharpened One Plan and A Promise Renewed for our mothers and babies. MNH in the News Check out Mama Ye! in the News and find out what has hit the headlines nationally and internationally on maternal and newborn health. MNH Calendar On 9 June 2014 the World Lung Foundation and partners will be conducting a national dissemination of results and key findings to date of their exciting intervention to bring comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care services closer to the communities who are missing out most on these life-saving services. (This has been held and will be reported on in next MNH newsletter) From 17-20 June the MOHSW and RMNCH stakeholders from all over the country will meet up in Dodoma for the Annual Reproductive and Child Health Services Meeting to discuss RMNCH updates and priorities going forward. (This has been held and will be reported on in next MNH newsletter) The MOHSW is planning national dissemination and roll-out of the Sharpened One Plan across all Tanzania’s regions over the next two months, schedule and timings of this roll-out will be shared once finalised so that stakeholders can reach out to participate in respective regional roll-out processes. A country launch of the State of the World Midwifery 2014 Report - Tanzania Country Brief is anticipated to be conducted in the near future. What will you be doing in the coming weeks/month? You are welcome to share your planned activities here - and/or summaries of activities conducted with links to reports etc. - we really want this newsletter to serve a purpose as a platform for all. Tell us and we will share with the rest of MNH stakeholders. Please forward your information to be shared to c.lweno-aboud@evidence4action.net Please note if you have received this newsletter and don't want to be on the email list please advise and your contact will be removed.

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Chiku Lweno-Aboud

To Kalulunga2006@yahoo.com

Jun 28 at 11:19 AM

Dear Colleague,

MATERNAL MORTALITY HIGHEST IN LINDI RURAL, SURVEY SAYS.

Dr Joanna Schellenberg, who is one of the members of the study team and works with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical  Medicine, presents results of a maternal health study in southern Tanzania during a meeting in Dar es Salaam recently.  

Photo | David Mbulumi  

By David Mbulumi

Posted  Saturday, May 17  2014

Ifakara. 

A reduction in maternal deaths  is one of the main goals of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the health sector’s reform programme, but progress has been slow. There was a decline of 100 deaths per 100,000 live births from 2004-2007 to 2010-2013 (equivalent to 2.3 per cent) per year. This decline is slower than the Millennium Development Goal Target of 5.5 per cent per year.

Findings of a survey conducted by Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) in six districts of southern Tanzania indicate that home-based newborn care can prevent 30 to 60 per cent of newborn deaths. 


 The survey, which ended in 2013 under a project called “Improving Newborn Survival in Southern Tanzania”, was conducted in Lindi Rural, Ruangwa, Nachingwea, Newala, Tandahimba and Mtwara Rural and found out that despite marked improvements in health service delivery and in newborn care, infant mortality remains high. 

The quality of child care in health facilities must improve to reduce newborn deaths.

Risk of death by district, poverty, education and age

The study, led by Dr Claudia Hanson, Dr Godfrey Mbaruku, Dr Fatuma Manzi and Dr Joanna Schellenberg (from IHI and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine),  found that maternal mortality in Lindi Rural, Ruangwa, Nachingwea, Newala and Tandahimba was as high as 712 deaths per 100,000 live births during a three-year period from June 2005 to May 2007.

 Maternal mortality was highest in Lindi Rural District (959 deaths per 100,000 live births), and lowest in Tandahimba District (573 deaths per 100,000 live births).

Maternal mortality was 796 per 100,000 in the poorest wealth group and 581 per 100,000 live births in the highest wealth group.

Mortality was only around 27 per cent lower in the richest areas compared to the poorest wealth quintile (MMR of 581 compared to 796). This was surprising against the background that 57 per cent of women in the highest wealth group delivered in a health facility and 6 per cent delivered by Caesarean section.


 In comparison, only 34 per cent of women in the lowest wealth group delivered in a health facility and 3.5 per cent by Caesarean section. 

Mortality was almost twice as high in women if the household head had no education compared to those who had completed secondary school.

Women aged 17 to 25 years were at the lowest risk of maternal death compared to those older or younger. Very young women - those aged 13 or 14 years - had very high risk of dying. 

Women in their thirties and forties were more likely to die than women in their twenties. 

It is important to note 18 per cent of births are to mothers aged 35 and above which is why many more deaths occur in older women.

Causes of maternal death

The three most common obstetric causes of death, according to the study, were severe bleeding (32 per cent), eclampsia (hypertensive disorders; 9 per cent) and puerperal sepsis (6 per cent). 

Abortion related complications were mentioned in 4 per cent of deaths, but since abortion is a taboo subject and induced abortion is illegal in Tanzania, this is likely to be under-reported.

One-third of all women died because of diseases which might get worse during pregnancy and childbirth, known as “indirect causes”, such as malaria (12 per cent), anaemia (10 per cent) or HIV/Aids (8 per cent).

These results should be viewed with some caution, because the ‘verbal autopsy’ interviews with bereaved relatives are likely to be more prone to error for deaths due to infectious diseases than for severe bleeding. Still, a 2008 study, An Autopsy  Study of Maternal Mortality in Mozambique: 


The Contribution of Infectious Diseases in Mozambique by Menendez C, also reported a broadly comparable distribution of deaths due to infection. 

Child birth care in hospitals and risk of maternal death

The study area has a relatively good network of six hospitals, with a further two just outside the district borders. A total of 76 per cent of births were to women living within 25 kilometres of a hospital. 

Within 25 kilometres, mortality was fairly constant at about 600–700 deaths per 100,000 live births. Beyond 25 kilometres from a hospital, levels increased to 900 per 100,000.

Mortality was also high within 5km of a hospital, despite 72 per cent of women living within 5km giving birth in a hospital and 8 per cent delivered by Caesarean section.

Conclusion

The study found that despite marked improvements in health facility delivery and in newborn care behaviours, newborn mortality remains high. Quality of childbirth care in health facilities must improve in order to reduce the burden of newborn deaths. 

Speaking at a meeting where the researchers shared the findings in Dar es Salaam on April 29, 2014, the Acting Director of Preventive Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Dr Neema Rusibamayila applauded IHI and partners for conducting the project in southern parts of Tanzania. “We will have a lot of added value from lessons learnt in this to inform us as we plan for further for the national programme,” said Dr Rusibamayila. 

Drawing from the presentations made by IHI scientists in collaboration with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr Rusibamayila said the government will continue to improve the quality of health care as a necessary step to reducing newborn deaths in the country. 

The author is a development communications specialist.

Credit. The citizen

EVIDENCE FOR ACTION (E4A), WAZINDUA MAMAYE!

Mganga Mkuu wa wilaya ya Buhigwe, Cosmas Buguzi akijitolea  damu kwa hiari wakati wa uzinduzi wa mpango wa uhamasishaji jamii kutoa damu kwa hiari uliokuwa unaendeshwa na asasi isiyo ya kiserikali Evidence for Action kupitia kampeni yake ya Mama Ye.(Picha na Fadhili Abdallah)

HAKUNA KAMA MAMA-SHAIRI

When you were born, your mother
spent hours giving birth to you; you
thanked her by crying every night in
the middle of her sleep

*When you were 4; your mother
bought you ice- cream; you thanked
her by dropping it all over the floor

*When you were 6; your mother used
to drive you to school; you thanked her
by closing the car door and not even
looking back

*When you were 10; your mother paid
for music lessons; you thanked her for
not even bothering to practice

*When you were 12; your mother paid
for summer campt; you thanked her by
not even writing one single letter

*When you were 13; your mother took
you and your freinds to the movies;
you thanked her by asking her to sit on
a different row

*When you were 15; your mother was
waiting for an important phone call;
you thanked her by being on the
phone all day

*When you were 17; your mother cried
on your graduation day; you thanked
her by partying out with your freinds
all night; and not even phoning her to
tell her that your okay

*When you were 18; your mother
carried all your bags and stuff to your
college campus; you thanked her by
telling her to go away as you was
embarrassed in front of your friends

*When you were 20; you got married
and your mother cried of happiness on
your wedding; you thanked her by
moving half way across the country &
not bothering to keep in touch

*When you were 30; your mother was
old and asked you to take care of her
you thanked her by telling her that
shes annoying and old people should
stop being such a pressure on their
children

*Then suddenly one day; your mother
quitely died; and everthing that you
didn't do came rushing back and hit
you like a crash of thunder on your
heart

Cherish and respect your mother while
you have the chance...
You will come to Cry when she is
Gone.

WANAWAKE WABAKWA GEREZANI -DRC

Utafiti uliofanywa na shirika moja la misaada Uingereza umeonyesha kuwa ubakaji unatumiwa tena kwa kiasi kikubwa gerezani kama adhabu kwa wanawake wanaojihusisha na masuala ya siasa nchini Jamhuri ya Demokrasia ya Congo.

 

Utafiti huo uliofanywa na "Freedom from Torture" umegundua kuwa zaidi ya nusu ya wanawake wote walio fanyiwa uchunguzi walikuwa wamebakwa na magenge.

Shirika hilo ambalo huwasaidia waathiriwa wa ubakaji umewafanyia uchunguzi wanawake 34. Ubakaji umekuwa ukitumika kwa miaka mingi kama silaha katika vita vya mashariki mwa DRC lakini shirika la ''Freedom from Torture'' linasema kuwa sasa wanawake magerezani kote nchini humo wanabakwa kama njia moja ya kuwaadhibu na kuwanyamazisha kutozungumza au kuchangia siasa za nchi hiyo.

Wanawake hao waliofanyiwa uchunguzi wanajumuisha wachuuzi, wasomi na hata wataalamu mbali mbali kati ya miaka 18 na 62 kote nchini humo.

Takriban hao wote walitiwa nguvuni kwa kujihusisha na masuala ya haki za binadamu au kampeini za kisiasa, au hata jamaa katika familia yao alihusika na siasa.

Zaidi ya nusu ya wanawake hao wanasema wamebakwa na magenge hata wanaofika kumi. Shirika hilo sasa linataka serikali ya DRC kufanya hima kutekeleza azimio la umoja wa mataifa dhidi ya kuwatesa watu.