Plan International Canada Inc

Published purpose

This project aims to reduce the number of deaths among mothers, newborns, and young children by improving the health services available in four rural districts in Rukwa and Mwanza Regions. It supports Tanzania in achieving national targets for reducing child mortality and improving maternal health (Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5). The project is designed to provide women with greater access to good-quality, reliable health services. It helps to ensure that district health facilities offer essential health services for women and children; it provides training for health care workers in emergency care for pregnant women, new mothers, and newborn babies; and it strengthens the management and supervision practices in health care facilities. The project is also designed to improve the ability of men and women in these communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to maternal and child health issues. The project includes: organizing community events and mass media campaigns, training community theatre groups, and selecting peer youth educators and male champions to raise awareness about potential health issues; conducting home visits to provide pre-natal and post-natal care and care for newborns and young children; and equipping community health workers to provide services in remote areas and to refer patients to health centres where necessary. The project places special emphasis on the role that men can play in helping to improve the health of women and children. This project is expected to benefit 309,000 women of childbearing age and over 306,000 children under five. Plan International Canada and Plan International’s office in Tanzania are working in partnership with Jhpiego and Africare to support the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to strengthen Tanzania’s health systems and to implement its National Road Map Strategic Plan to Accelerate Reduction of Maternal, Newborn and Child Deaths in Tanzania. This project is part of Canada’s maternal, newborn, and child health commitment.